Fast bowler Mohammad Shami has opened up about his exclusion from the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final despite his standout performances throughout the tournament. Speaking candidly, Mohammad Shami reminisced about being left out of the crucial match against New Zealand at Old Trafford, Manchester, a decision that still perplexes him.
In the 2019 World Cup, Mohammad Shami had established himself as one of India’s key bowlers. He had taken 14 wickets from just four matches, including a remarkable five-wicket haul against England and a hat-trick against Afghanistan. Despite these impressive feats, Shami was omitted from the semi-final, where India fell short by 18 runs in their chase of 240 runs.
Reflecting on his exclusion, Mohammad Shami shared his frustration in an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube show, ‘Unplugged.’ He noted that his performance pattern in the 2023 World Cup was strikingly similar, where he was initially left out but then made significant contributions with multiple five-wicket hauls and four-wicket spells.
Mohammad Shami questioned the logic behind not selecting him despite his proven track record. “In 2019, I did not play the first 4–5 games. I took a hat-trick, then a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game. A similar pattern happened in 2023. I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me? I neither have questions nor answers.”
In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Mohammad Shami emerged as the top wicket-taker, amassing 24 wickets across seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls. Despite India finishing as runners-up after a defeat to Australia in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Mohammad Shami’s performance was a highlight of the tournament.
Mohammad Shami’s career has faced interruptions since the World Cup final, with surgeries and a notable absence from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he was expected to play for Gujarat Titans (GT). While he has resumed bowling in the nets, his official return to competitive cricket remains uncertain.
