"We Were Not In The Mood To Eat...": Mohammed Shami Reveals How PM Narendra Modi Helped India Cope With World Cup Loss

14.12.2023 - 17:25 sports.ndtv.com

Star pacer Mohammed Shami became the talk of the town after his heroics for Team India in the recently concluded ODI World Cup 2023.

Despite missing out on the first four matches of the tournament, Shami emerged as the highest wicket-taker with a total of 24 scalps to his name.

He also bagged the Player of the Tournament award for his stellar performance. Despite all this, Team India failed to lift the World Cup trophy as they lost against Australia in the summit clash.

After India's loss, PM Narendra Modi met the players in the dressing room and comforted them. The video of that meeting was widely shared.

cricket India Cricket Team cup loss Mohammed Shami Australia India

The Indian cricket team suffered an embarrassing innings and 32-run loss to South Africa in the first Test match in Centurion. The Proteas put an all-round performance to outwit India within three days and took a 1-0 unassailable lead in the two-match series. While all the batters, barring Virat Kohli, flopped in India's second innings, the bowlers too failed to impress in their only chance as South Africa were not needed to bat for a second time in the game. In their only innings, the hosts scored 408 despite Jasprit Bumrah's four-wicket haul.

From Pat Cummins To Virat Kohli, A Look At Best Cricketers Of 2023

Though cricket is a team sport, it is individual performances that make or mar teams. It is often individuals who are glorified as 'King' or 'God' or tarred as villains depending on victories or losses. Though fans admire their national teams, one or two players are absolute hot favourites and are followed closely. Slowly and steadily, the fanbases of individual players unravel themselves on social media and inside cricketing arenas. 2023 was no different.

No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma And Mohammed Shami In Harsha Bhogle's Test Team Of 2023. Only 2 Indians Find Place

Team India's had a mixed bag of results in Test cricket in 2023. The Rohit Sharma-led side played the final game of the year in the longest format of the game against South Africa, losing by an innings and 32 runs. India won Test series against Australia and West Indies, but lost the World Test Championship (WTC) final to the Pat Cummins-led side. In terms of individual performances, star batter Virat Kohli was the team's top-scorer with 671 runs in 12 innings at an average of 55.91. Following his knock of 76 in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa, Kohli ended the year with two centuries and as many half-centuries to his name.

Mohammed Shami "Took Injections" During World Cup: Report Reveals India Star Pacer's 'Chronic Issue'

Mohammed Shami's absence was heavily felt during India vs South Africa first Test. The Indian cricket team pacers leaked runs as South Africa batter piled on runs. Jasprit Bumrah did not have proper support as the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur failed to live up to the expectations. Mohammed Shami, Cricket World Cup 2023's highest wicket-taker, could have been handy in such a situation. However, he is nursing an injury and missed the series.

"Indian Team Really Misses Him": Dinesh Karthik On "Lieutenant To Jasprit Bumrah" Post 1st Test Loss

Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik feels India pacer Mohammed Shami's injury has proved to be a huge setback for the team in the ongoing first Test against South Africa in Centurion. Dean Elgar led South Africa's charge after India were bowled out for 245 in the first innings. Elgar scored 185 as the Indian pacers struggled to pick wickets at regular intervals, allowing South Africa to take a sizeable lead in the first innings. Shami was ruled out of the two-match series due to an ankle injury.

Avesh Khan Added To India Squad For 2nd Test Against South Africa

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision to add pacer Avesh Khan to India's squad for the second Test against South Africa as a replacement for Mohammed Shami who remains unavailable due to an injury. Shami was picked for the tour of South Africa but couldn't prove his fitness in time for the start of the series. Shami missed the first Test in Centurion as the BCCI waited for him to regain full fitness. But, he was ruled out of the second Test too, prompting the board to name Avesh as his replacement.