Some 10 years years ago, Tousif Ali sent his 16-year-old son, Mohammed Shami, from Sahaspur village in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh to Kolkata.
From there on the journey has been a tremendous one. From making his test debut versus England in 2013 to breaking England captain Alastair Cook's off stump in 2016, the journey has been incredible.
The 26-year-old lad has 71 Test match wickets in 21 matches, averaging little above 33. His performance in this series against England has been prominent.
Of the pacers India have now, Mohammed Shami is by far the best. He has also returned only recently from a long lay-off forced by a serious knee injury. But over the course of the series, he has become Virat Kohli's go-to quick bowler in every situation, be it to execute a specific plan to a specific batsman, such as his accurate and hostile use of the bouncer against Hameed, or to come on and bowl with the new ball or a reverse-swinging old ball, or, simply, as the likeliest man to break a partnership.
He has become the leader of India's pace attack, taking over that mantle from Ishant Sharma, a man who has played 56 Tests more than him.
He was India’s second highest wicket-taker in the World Cup, with 17 wickets at 17.29 and an economy rate of 4.81.
Little did he know then, in the midst of the best time of his career where he was getting raves about his action from the legendary Richard Hadlee to whom he was even introduced to by Ravi Shastri, that things would soon turn dire.
Almost immediately after the tournament that he had played through pain and injury, he was out of action for several months after a knee surgery. During the World Cup, he would have fluids sucked out of his knee and practice on the day before the match.
In spite of all the injuries he has, the man has been really brave to come and play again which shows is character and determination to play for India and be the match winner.