Amid the ‘Sajdah’ controversy, Mohammed Shami delivered a remarkable response to his critics, asserting his pride in being both an Indian and a Muslim.
The backdrop to this came during the intense semi-finals of the highly anticipated World Cup 2023, where New Zealand appeared poised for a historic chase against a challenging target of 398. Captain Williamson and Daryl Mitchell had the Kiwis confidently marching towards victory until the 32nd over when Shami’s dismissal of the New Zealand skipper turned the tide in India’s favor. Shami’s stellar performance not only orchestrated India’s comeback but also earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match for his bowling heroics.
Called in as a replacement for the injured seamer Hardik Pandya, Shami made a stellar World Cup debut against New Zealand, outshining even Kohli’s batting brilliance with a match-winning five-wicket haul in the semi-final rematch from the 2019 World Cup. Playing a pivotal role, Mohammed Shami helped India break its World Cup jinx against the Black Caps. Leading up to the knockout phase, Shami became the all-time leading wicket-taker for the Men In Blue in the history of ICC events.
Despite his on-field heroics, Mohammed Shami faced unwarranted criticism from trolls who misconstrued his post-match gestures.
In response, Shami, visibly emotional, silenced his critics with a powerful statement during an interview. Unapologetically defending his right to pray, he emphasized his identity as both a proud Muslim and Indian, sparking a poignant question about the necessity of seeking permission to practice his faith in his own country.
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Shami’s cricketing journey continued to soar as he surpassed Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath to become India’s highest wicket-taker in World Cup history, reaching 45 wickets. Achieving this milestone in just 14 innings, he became the fastest bowler to reach 50 wickets at the ODI World Cup. At the 2023 World Cup, Shami dominated the wicket charts with an impressive tally of 24 scalps, solidifying his stature as one of India’s premier fast bowlers.
Following the successful World Cup campaign, Shami’s outstanding contributions did not go unnoticed, earning him a well-deserved nomination for the prestigious Arjuna Award. This nomination serves as fitting recognition for his exceptional achievements on the cricketing stage, establishing Shami’s legacy as a true cricketing hero.
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