NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami, an Indian pacer who has made a name for himself in the ODI World Cup, recently expressed his concern at the team management’s choice to sideline him during pivotal moments of the 2019 edition of the event.
During an interview on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, “Unplugged,” Shami shared his opinions.
With five five-wicket hauls and 195 wickets at an average of 23.68 in 100 innings, Shami has an incredible record in one-day international cricket.
With 55 wickets in just 18 games at the World Cup, his statistics are even more remarkable. This places him fifth overall in the world and makes him the leading wicket-taker for India in the ICC event.
In retrospect, Shami said of the 2019 World Cup, “I didn’t play the first four or five games this year. I claimed a hat-trick in the following game, five wickets in the following game, and four wickets in the following game. Something comparable took place in 2023. I didn’t participate in the first few games, after which I took four, five, and then six wickets.”
With 24 wickets in seven games, Shami became the World Cup’s highest wicket-taker in 2023. It was only after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out with an injury that he was added to the playing XI.
“The one thing I keep wondering is every team heeds players who can perform well,” Shami remarked. “I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me?”
In the 2019 edition, he took 14 wickets in four matches, however he was rested for India’s 18-run loss to New Zealand in the semi-final and the league match against Sri Lanka.
As he went on, Shami’s confusion was evident “I don’t know what questions to ask or how to answer them. Only when I’m given the chance can I demonstrate my abilities. I won three matches and took 13 wickets because you gave me an opportunity. New Zealand won after that. total of four games played and fourteen wickets taken. I took 24 wickets in seven games in 2023.”
Shami’s bewilderment was palpable as he continued, “I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity. You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. Played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches.”
While Ravi Shastri was the team’s head coach during the 2019 World Cup, Shami was playing for Virat Kohli as captain.
The significance of making the most of players’ abilities, particularly in crucial competitions like the World Cup, is highlighted by Shami’s dependable performance when given the chance.
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