Mohammed Shami is currently on a break from cricket due to injury, sidelining him since the ODI World Cup 2023. Despite missing the first four matches, Shami emerged as the highest wicket-taker of the marquee tournament with 24 scalps, earning him the Player of the Tournament award. However, India fell short in the World Cup final against Australia.
During the tournament, former Pakistan cricketer Hasan Raza made a controversial claim, suggesting that Indian bowlers, including Shami, were given special balls by the ICC or BCCI, leading to extra swing on batting-friendly tracks.
“It seems like the ball gets changed in the second innings. I think the ICC, umpire, or the BCCI is giving a different ball to the Indian bowlers. The side batting first scored 350 and were all over the chasing team. The way Mohammed Shami bowled his first ball, even Angelo Matthews was stunned. During our playing days, there was only one ball which was utilised, and had both swing and reverse swing,” the 41-year-old had stated on a Pakistani TV channel called ABN News, after the India vs Sri Lanka game at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
‘Jalan Toh Puri Dikhti Hai…’
In response, Mohammed Shami criticised Hasan Raza, stating that the former cricketer harbours jealousy towards India’s success, in a recent News18 interview
“Actually they have made cricket a joke because we don’t enjoy each other’s success. You become too happy when you are being praised, but when you lose, you feel that you have been cheated. You look at the records of the time we have been part of the team, you won’t even find them close. Jalan toh puri dikhti hai wo. Itna jalane se kon se results mil jaane hain (Jealously is evident. You can never get good results with this amount of jealously,” Shami told News18.
He was also asked: “Sabse zyada to aapne Pakistan ko dhoya hai (You have thrashed Pakistan the most)?” the anchor asked Mohammed Shami.
“Wo toh khoon main hai (That’s in the blood),” replied the Indian cricket team star.
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Coming to cricket, India are currently engaged in a five-match India vs England Test series. After facing an embarassing defeat in the 1st IND vs ENG Test in Hyderabad, India showcased brilliance in Visakhapatnam to win the 2nd IND vs ENG Test by 106 runs with the help of Jasprit Bumrah’s heroic performances in both the innings and Shubman Gill’s exceptional century in the second innings.