Mohammed Shami Slams Sanjay Manjrekar Before IPL 2025 Auction

India’s premier pacer Mohammed Shami recently took a sharp dig at former cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar over comments regarding Shami’s potential valuation at the IPL 2025 auction. Sharing a screenshot of Manjrekar’s opinion on Instagram, Shami mocked the commentator, calling him “Baba” (saint) and sarcastically suggesting that he save some of his wisdom for his own future.

“All hail Baba. Save some knowledge for your own future, Sanjay Ji. If anyone wants to know their future, meet sir,” Shami wrote.

Manjrekar had expressed concerns that Shami’s injury history might impact his price at the auction, citing that franchises may hesitate to invest heavily in a player who could miss games due to fitness issues.

After being sidelined by injuries since his last appearance in the 2023 World Cup final, Shami made a strong return to competitive cricket. Representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, the ace pacer picked up four wickets in the first innings, silencing critics with his performance.

There are also speculations that Shami might rejoin India’s squad midway through the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, further proving his readiness for top-level cricket.

Released by Gujarat Titans ahead of the IPL 2025 auction after missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Shami remains a sought-after player. He played a pivotal role in Gujarat Titans’ maiden IPL title win in 2022, emerging as the season’s leading wicket-taker with 28 scalps in 17 matches.

Despite concerns over his fitness, Shami’s reputation as a match-winner remains intact. Even in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he delivered stellar performances, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 21 dismissals, despite missing the first three games.

On Star Sports, Manjrekar highlighted that while Shami’s skill set makes him an attractive option for teams, his injury-prone history could deter franchises from making a heavy investment. “Franchises want reliability, and losing a key player mid-season can significantly impact their chances,” Manjrekar stated.

With his remarkable comeback and history of delivering in high-pressure games, Shami is expected to attract significant interest at the IPL 2025 auction. However, how franchises balance his potential impact with his injury concerns will be a storyline to watch.

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