Mohammed Shami Opens Up About Being Dropped Ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup, Earns Praise from Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid: ‘Surprising Them’

New Delhi: Mohammed Shami, a prominent fast bowler for India, has been on the sidelines since his last game in the 2023 ODI World Cup. His significant contributions helped India progress to the final, although they narrowly missed out on clinching the title. Unfortunately, Shami suffered a serious ankle injury during the tournament and underwent surgery in February, which has put him out of action. This period of rehabilitation marks a challenging phase in his career as he focuses on regaining his fitness and returning to the field.

Interestingly, Mohammed Shami wasn’t part of India’s initial first-choice XI in the 2023 ODI World Cup. However, an injury to Hardik Pandya during a group match against Bangladesh opened the door for Shami. From that point, the right-arm pacer delivered a stunning performance, dominating with a tournament-best 24 wickets in just seven matches.

During the CEAT Cricket Awards held last month, Mohammed Shami reflected on his World Cup journey in a conversation with anchor Mayanti Langer, a video of which was shared by Star Sports on Sunday. Shami discussed how, in all three ODI World Cups he participated in, he was not initially selected as a first-choice player. However, once given the opportunity, he made remarkable comebacks, delivering standout performances for India.

“I’m habitual to it, I think,” Shami remarked when asked about his knack for delivering strong performances after being sidelined. This response highlighted his resilience and ability to consistently make impactful comebacks despite not always being a first-choice pick.

“In 2015, 2019, and 2023, I had the same start. When I was given a chance, the performances, thanks to god, they never thought of dropping me again. You can call to hard work, but I’m always ready for a chance. Only when you’re ready can you prove yourself. Otherwise, I can only run to the field to give water! It’s better to seize the opportunity when you get it.”

The 33-year-old pacer, Mohammed Shami, is currently undergoing a rigorous and closely monitored rehabilitation process under the supervision of the Indian team management. They are prioritizing his full recovery, focusing on long-term fitness rather than rushing his return to the field. Shami has expressed that before making his comeback to the national team, he will first represent his state side, Bengal.