With the victory of Team India in the T20 World Cup, the dream of becoming world champion of star players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jaspreet Bumrah was fulfilled but there were some veterans left who performed brilliantly for the team in the last few World Cups but they missed out on tasting success.
Mohammed Shami played an important role in taking Team India to the final of the ODI World Cup 2023.Image Credit: AFP
By winning the T20 World Cup 2024, Team India not only ended its wait, but also filled millions of Indian fans with happiness. On June 29, on the ground of Barbados, only 15 Indian players lifted the World Cup trophy and wore the winner's gold medal around their neck, but every Indian felt that trophy and that medal. With this, the dream of becoming world champions of legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya also came true. However, there are some legendary players who could not be a part of this victory but they still have this wish in their hearts. One of them is star fast bowler Mohammed Shami.
About 7 months before the historic victory in Barbados on June 29, the only date that was on the minds and hearts of Team India and its fans was November 19. This is the same date when last year Australia defeated Team India in the final of the ODI World Cup and stopped them from winning the title. One of the biggest stars of Team India's success in that World Cup was Shami, whose deadly bowling helped the team reach the final without losing a single match.
Shami then took 7 wickets against New Zealand in the semi-finals, while he also bowled brilliantly in the final. In the entire tournament, he created a stir by taking 24 wickets in 7 matches. Still, he could not fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion, but his dream is still alive. Shami revealed his pain in an interview given on a YouTube channel. When Shubhankar Mishra asked Shami in his interview whether he feels that he deserves the World Champion medal for whatever he has done for Indian cricket, Shami said that he also wants to win the World Cup, but whoever was a member of Team India in the T20 World Cup deserved this medal.
Shami had an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup but he still played till the final. Since then Shami has been out of the field and hence could not participate in the T20 World Cup. Referring to this, Shami said that if he was injured, he could only watch the World Cup from home as a fan. He said that the players who came out on the field were his friends and teammates and hence he could help them in whatever way possible by staying outside. Then Shami spoke his heart out and said that winning the World Cup is also his dream.
Shami, who is suffering from an ankle injury, had to undergo surgery in London a few months ago. At present, the situation regarding his return is not clear. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy. Team India will hope that he becomes fit at least by the time of the Australian tour later this year. After this tour, there will be the Champions Trophy in February 2025, where Team India may need Shami.
