The Indian cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, made a stunning comeback in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, defeating Australia to secure their spot in the final. However, the real drama unfolded off the pitch when Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami was spotted drinking water during the match against Australia, sparking a controversy that would soon engulf him. Religious scholars and maulanas were quick to criticize Shami, accusing him of violating the rules of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. Now, Shami’s brother, Mohammed Kaif, has stepped forward to defend his sibling, firing back at the maulanas in an exclusive interview with ABP News.
Maulana Shahabuddin, a prominent figure from the All India Jamiat, had earlier taken to social media to troll Shami for drinking water during the match, but Shami’s brother was quick to respond. Speaking to ABP News, Mohammed Kaif said, “I find such statements laughable. These people are only making noise to grab attention and TRPs.” He added, “As far as I understand, Islamic scholars have also studied and know that if someone is traveling or playing a sport, they are exempt from fasting. I think the maulana’s comments are baseless and hold no significance.”
Kaif also drew attention to a similar incident in 2017, when the entire Pakistani team was seen drinking water during a match, but were not subjected to the same level of criticism. “It’s unfortunate that my brother is being targeted repeatedly, despite his hard work and dedication to the sport,” Kaif said. “Many people, including those from Pakistan, are trolling Mohammed Shami, and it’s because he’s performing well on the field.” Kaif’s comments highlight the double standards and hypocrisy that often surround such controversies, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming days.
In the meantime, the Indian cricket team will be focusing on their upcoming matches, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how they perform. As for Mohammed Shami, he will likely continue to face scrutiny and criticism from some quarters, but with the support of his family and teammates, he is well-equipped to handle the pressure. After all, as any sports enthusiast will tell you, the true test of a player’s character lies not in their ability to withstand criticism, but in their capacity to rise above it and shine on the field.