Anytime, he will stand on the table and start dancing to Punjabi music: Shami on Shikhar Dhawan's dressing room antics

Mohammed Shami and Shikhar Dhawan shared approximately a decade playing together for the Indian national team. Shami led the pace attack while Dhawan opened the batting across formats. The two cricketers developed a close understanding of team dynamics during their years in the squad.

In a recent interview, Shami reflected on Dhawan's role in maintaining morale within the dressing room. He highlighted how Dhawan's personality shaped the atmosphere during both successful and difficult moments in the team's campaign.

"Shikhar is very funny. He does those things. Say we lost a match, everyone comes and sits in the change room. Shikhar wants to do something different. He will just laugh very loudly." Shami said on cricketnextofficial.

"If I ask why are you laughing, he says because we lost. He does such things. Anytime, he will stand on the table and start dancing to Punjabi music. These things create that atmosphere in the dressing room. We also enjoy it because winning and losing keep happening. When you are playing the whole year, you will win and lose. All these things are there. But no one then goes into a very sad mood in the dressing room," he added.

How Dhawan lifted dressing room spirits

Shami explained that Dhawan's approach to handling defeats was unconventional yet effective. Rather than allowing disappointment to settle over the group, Dhawan would initiate moments of levity that shifted the emotional tone. His willingness to perform and entertain became a defining feature of how the team processed both victories and setbacks.

Shami also recalled his own early experience joining the Indian team setup. When he first arrived, he attended a team meeting the day before a match. The occasion left him overwhelmed by the presence of established cricketers whose names he had long admired.

"The first time I joined the Indian team, I did not know how things were. There was a team meeting a day before the game. When I walked in through the door and looked around, there was not one name that had not come in my dream. I just sat quietly. Yuvraj Singh asked me to stand on the chair." Shami said.

"What can you tell him? So I did that. He told me to give a speech. I had forgotten everything after seeing all the names. I could not say much. I just told my name and where I was from. I could not say more than that as I could not remember anything," he added.

Shami's recollection highlighted the nervousness that accompanied his entry into international cricket. The presence of established players created an intimidating environment for a newcomer. His brief introduction, limited to his name and hometown, reflected the awe he felt in that moment. Shami has gone on to become one of the finest fast bowlers to have played for India. He is also a member of the 2025 Champions Trophy-winning Indian side.

However, this is the last time Shami represented the Men in Blue. He has been performing well for Bengal in domestic cricket. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has not handed him a recall. Still, the 35-year-old will have aspirations of playing in the ODI World Cup next year. He was the highest wicket-taker for India in the previous edition of the marquee event in 2019, when Rohit Sharma and Co. were beaten by Australia in the final.

Also Read: If Shami is fit and available, India should use his experience in 2027 World Cup: Zaheer Khan

The legendary cricketer has been picked in East Zone's side for the upcoming Duleep Trophy contest. The East Zone side is set to be led by Ishan Kishan, with the talented Vaibhav Sooryavanshi being his deputy. With most of the star players in Indian cricket set to appear in the tournament, Shami will get another chance to remind the selectors about his form and potential.