Indian star Mohammed Shami slammed trolls for “baseless” rumors about his celebration after the sensational five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the World Cup clash last month.
Mohammed Shami was one of the best players of the World Cup as he finished the competition as the highest wicket-taker despite failing to find a place in the playing eleven for the first four games. In just seven games, he got a staggering 24 wickets. The Bengal star also took a record three five-wicket hauls, including an impressive 7-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semi-final.
The star pacer received praise throughout the competition but found himself in a controversy for his celebration after the five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka. A video went viral in which he could be seen kneeling and touching the ground with both hands after dismissing Kasun Rajitha in the 13th over to take the fifth wicket from him.
A section of social media users claimed that Mohammed Shami wanted to offer prayers in the field but ultimately decided not to do so for fear of backlash. Earlier in the World Cup, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan had landed in trouble for offering Namaz on the field during the match against Sri Lanka.
Mohammed Shami talks about his celebration:
While Mohammed Shami did not react to the controversy during the World Cup, he recently spoke about it during an event. Speaking on Agenda Aaj Tak on Wednesday (December 13), the Indian star stated that he is a proud Indian and a proud Muslim and that no one would have stopped him from praying if he wanted to pray.
“If I wanted to pray, who could stop me? I will not stop anyone from praying. If I want to pray, I will pray. What is the problem in this? I will say it with pride that I am a Muslim. I will say it with pride that I am Indian. What’s the problem in that?
“If I have to ask someone’s permission to pray, why should I be in this country? Have I ever prayed after doing a 5-field run? I have taken many five-wicket hauls. Tell me where you have to pray and I will go and pray there,” said Mohammed Shami.
On the ‘Sajda controversy’, Md Shami says, “I have never done it before, nor was I trying to do it that day and I think no one will stop me even if I do it.” I don’t believe in bothering others on the ground with such things.
What a wonderful guy @MdShami11 is. Muslims should learn from him. pic.twitter.com/s9aQJtLqlE
– Mr. Sinha (@MrSinha_) December 13, 2023
He also revealed the reason for his celebration, saying: “People like this are not on anyone’s side. They just want to create a scandal. In that game against Sri Lanka I bowled with 200 per cent intensity. The wickets were falling in quick succession and after taking 3 wickets, I thought I had to take a 5-wicket haul today.
“I was tired of not getting a wicket despite hitting the batsman’s edge so many times. He was bowling at full speed. So when I got my fifth wicket, I sank to the ground and knelt down. People gave it a different meaning. I think people who misunderstand these things have no other job,” Shami added.
Meanwhile, the 33-year-old is likely to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award for his impressive performance in the World Cup. The pacer has not played a competitive match since the World Cup final and he is likely to return to action later this month when India takes on South Africa in a two-match Test series.