Mohammad Shami’s reaction to his controversial celebration during the 2023 ODI World Cup: Indian Fast Bowler Mohammed Shami was the star with the ball for The Men in Blue in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023 and was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 24 wickets next to his name in just 7 matches. During this World Cup.
He also became the the most successful bowler for India in the history of the ICC World Cups having taken 55 wickets in just 18 innings surpassing the tally of Zaheer Khan.
The Seamer took three 5 wicket halls in this year’s ODI World Cup which included 2 vs New Zealand and 1 against Sri Lanka. During the match vs Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, when Shami completed his 5-wicket hall,
He kneeled and touched the ground with both his hands after dismissing Kasun Rajitha from Sri Lanka and after watching this on live television, some social media users claimed that the pacer wanted to do ‘Sajda’ but backed off from it at the last minute due to having the fear that how would Indian fans react after seeing him celebrate by doing the sacred Sajda on a cricket field.
The Indian Fast bowler reacted to this and said on Agenda Aaj Tak that “If I wanted to pray, who could stop me? I will say it with full pride that I’m a Muslim. I will say it with full pride that I’m an Indian. Have I ever prayed on the cricket field after taking a 5-wicket haul before? I have taken many five-wicket hauls”.
“I sank to the ground and kneeled, people gave a different meaning to it – I think people who are misinterpreting these things don’t have any other work – they only want to create a ruckus – In the game against Sri Lanka, I bowled with all of my might.I was tired of not getting wickets despite beating the edge many times so when I got my 5th wicket this happened”, Shami added.
Given his tremendous performance at the 2023 World Cup for India, Shami is probably going to receive the Arjuna Award this year. The 33-year-old is expected to return in action vs South Africa in the 2-match Test Series.