After Gautam Gambhir, Mohammed Shami was in danger of death and asked for Rs 1 crore as protection money

In a disturbing development during IPL 2025, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has received a death threat via email, with the sender demanding Rs 1 crore as “safety money”. The threatening mail was discovered by Shami’s brother, Mohammed Haseeb, on May 4 and was immediately reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station in Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district. An FIR was lodged under IPC Section 308(4) and IT Act sections 66D and 66E. The email was allegedly sent by a man identifying himself as Rajput Sindar.

After Gambhir, it is Shami’s turn

The incident has come just weeks after India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir also received threatening emails. In Gambhir’s case, the accused was identified as a mentally unstable engineering student from Gujarat. Investigations into both cases are ongoing, with Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police coordinating efforts.

Shami having an IPL 2025 to forget

Ironically, just minutes after the news of the threat surfaced, Shami was dropped from the Sunrisers Hyderabad playing XI for the second time this season. Also, it wasn’t a surprise considering the horrible form Shami was in actually. Shami has had a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign.

Representing SRH, the veteran pacer has managed only six wickets in nine games, with a high average of 56.17 and an economy of 11.23. A far cry from his Champions Trophy form earlier this year, where he picked up nine wickets in five matches—including a match-winning five-for—Shami has struggled to make an impact in the league. SRH replaced him due to a slump in form. He took 5 wickets in the first 5 games but managed only 1 wicket in the last 4 matches. Additionally, he had a costly spell against Punjab Kings, conceding 75 runs, which is the second-most expensive figure in IPL history.