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"If I Relax, What's The Harm?": Shami Reacts To Virat Kohli's 'Lazy', 'Lala' Tag For Him

Soumyajit Dutta

Mohammed Shami and Virat Kohli [Source: @ankurs000/X.com]Mohammed Shami and Virat Kohli [Source: @ankurs000/X.com]

Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami offered a rare and refreshingly honest glimpse into the team's inner dynamics and his personal journey, reflecting on his relationship with former captain Virat Kohli. 

During a candid appearance on the popular show Aap Ki Adalat, Shami addressed light-hearted jibes, language barriers, and a deeply personal moment of respect, painting a picture of camaraderie and mutual respect within the high-pressure environment of the Indian cricket team.

Shami On Being Called 'Lazy' By Kohli

When host Rajat Sharma reminded him that Virat Kohli had once called him “lazy” for taking naps during massages, Shami laughed it off with a logical defence of a fast bowler’s gruelling workload.

“Your body gets exhausted during a Test match. I might have taken a short nap, but if that earns me the ‘lazy’ tag, I don’t mind. Fast bowling is the toughest job in the team. We run the most, we respond whenever the situation demands, and off the field, if I relax for a bit, what’s the harm? Virat can call me ‘lazy’ or ‘lala’, but I am neither fat nor selling jewellery. In the Indian team, you are bound to pick up some nickname,” Shami said in the show.

Shami's Struggle With English

Mohammed Shami also recounted a humorous moment from a tour of New Zealand where he enlisted Kohli’s help as a translator, only to leave the skipper confused.

“I was trying my best to answer in English. I even joked that I had brought Virat with me during the New Zealand series because the Kiwis have such a different accent. After I finished, Virat asked why I had brought him along,” Shami added.

Kohli Touching Shami's Mother's Feet

Beyond the jokes, Shami shared a touching memory from the Champions Trophy, explaining why Kohli touched his mother’s feet after a victory.

“Virat used to talk to my mom over the phone. She had never met him in person, and when she came to watch the match after years, I told Virat she was there. That’s why he went to her,” he said.

While the light-hearted conversation revealed dressing room secrets, Shami has been missing from India's dressing room since March 2025. He will look to find a place in India's playing XI again in the Australia ODIs alongside Rohit Sharma and Kohli.