NEWS
Follow UsMohammed Shami was on the bench for the first four matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, but when he did get his chance against New Zealand, thanks to an injury to Hardik Pandya, the pacer grabbed it with both hands to secure a five-wicket haul. On a day India needed him to do the best, with the bowling stocks dwindling to five instead of the usual six, Shami was in his element and orchestrated a solid late-order collapse for the 2019 World Cup finalists.
On being asked how difficult it was for him to look at everything transpire from outside in the lead-up to the New Zealand game, Shami sounded optimistic and stated that being part of the Indian squad was itself a big thing - and he just waited for the opportunity.
“I was watching everything on the bench. I will do something only when I am given the chance. But yes, it is very important. When you are not playing, it is very difficult. But if your team is performing, your boys are moving in a rhythm, then I don't think you should feel guilty sitting outside. Because you are also a part of the team and a part of the World Cup. I think everyone should enjoy each other’s success,” Shami said in the post-match press conference.
“Personally, I keep my outlook as – you keep enjoying. Because in India the biggest sport is cricket. The biggest place is the place where you are sitting. It's not necessary to be there [in playing XI]. You have 15 players. Four of them have to stay out. So, by being positive and enjoying, I feel you will get more results.
“So, I always think to myself, I am not here today, I will be here tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then day after tomorrow. They do come in rotation. And when your time comes, you contribute for the team. I think in that way that the one who is performing now be happy with that. That's it,” the pacer added.
India have decided to go with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah as the first-choice seamers due to the balance of the squad. Mohammed Shami came a close third, but in the last two games he has featured in for India, he has already picked up 10 wickets. However, sitting on the bench doesn’t create an acrimonious situation for anyone as all of them enjoy the camaraderie they share and the bond they have developed over the years.
“When you talk about bonding – it’s very important that we have repeated so many times that you should always play as a unit; they are second and third partners. We have repeated this a lot in the Test match as well. That yes, there were three people in the first unit, Siraj was also in it, and Bumrah was also added. So, we have a good package.
“You get to see it. You get the pace. You get to see the aggression. As far as enjoying is concerned, I have told you before that if you enjoy the success of others, you will get better results. And the medal of the dressing room as well, I believe we will get one today as well once we return to the dressing room,” the pacer concluded.
