Mohammed Shami’s five-wicket haul powered India to their second-ever victory at the historic Wanderers Stadium.
Table of Contents
When Biryani Sparked Fire: Shastri and Arun Recall Mohammed Shami Fiery 2018 Spell
Former India coaches Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun recently revealed a dramatic behind-the-scenes moment that lit a fire in Mohammed Shami during the final Test against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2018. With India having already lost the series 2-0, the third Test was all about pride — and Shami rose to the occasion with a match-winning five-wicket haul.
Ravi Shastri, speaking to Sony Sports, recalled seeing Mohammed Shami with a plate full of biryani at lunch while South Africa needed just 100 more runs with eight wickets in hand. Shastri cheekily questioned him, “Tera bhook idhar theek ho gaya kya?” triggering an angry reaction from Shami, who shoved the plate aside and replied, “Le le plate. Nahi chahiye biryani, bhaad mein gaya biryani.”
Bharat Arun further added that Ravi Shastri told him to let Mohammed Shami channel his anger on the field instead. “Ravi came to me and said, ‘Woh gussa hai, usko aise hi chhod do. Agar kuch baat karna hai toh bolo, thoda wicket leke mujhe batao.’”
‘Humko hamesha gussa karao…’
Mohammed Shami’s unforgettable five-wicket burst in the final innings of the 2018 Johannesburg Test was as much about skill as it was about raw emotion — and a plate of biryani. As Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun recalled, Shami had been furious after a cheeky remark from Shastri at lunch, prompting him to refuse his biryani and unleash fire on the field.
Mohammed Shami ran riot after the break, dismantling the South African batting line-up as the hosts collapsed — their last seven batters managing just 22 runs combined. His fiery spell handed India a 63-run win, only their second at the Wanderers and third overall in South Africa.
After the match, Arun offered Shami the same plate of biryani. With a grin, the pacer replied, “Humko hamesha gussa karao phir theek ho jaate hai” (Make me angry all the time, then I become fine). Shastri laughed, calling it “typical Shami.”
The spicy exchange may have started with lunch, but it ended with India serving South Africa a crushing defeat — one powered by pace, pride, and a bit of playful provocation.
