Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami has responded to the criticism he faced during the holy month of Ramadan when he was seen drinking an energy drink in the middle of a match.

The Incident

During last Ramadan, Shami was spotted consuming an energy drink while playing in extreme heat conditions. The moment sparked outrage on social media, with many questioning his commitment to fasting during the sacred month.

Shami’s Clarification

In a recent interview with Indian media, Shami openly addressed the matter for the first time:

• “We play matches in 42–45 degrees Celsius, risking our lives in such harsh conditions. In such situations, our religion allows concessions.”
• He added that Islam gives permission to break the fast if a person is traveling, representing the country, or in circumstances where fasting becomes extremely difficult.
• Shami further clarified that he made up for the missed fasts later in accordance with Islamic teachings.

On Social Media Criticism

Regarding the backlash, Shami said:

• “I don’t take social media criticism seriously anymore. All my accounts are managed by my team, and I never read the comments. Some people just want cheap publicity through negativity.”
• He urged fans to understand the sacrifices and efforts players make instead of judging them without context.

Current Career Struggles

According to Indian media reports, the veteran pacer is currently striving to secure a permanent spot across all three formats of the game. Despite his experience, he was not selected in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, highlighting the competitive environment within the team.