Mohammed Shami was at his best at last month’s CEAT Annual Awards 2024 night where the Indian pacer was honoured with the award for the best male Test bowler of the year. During the star-studded event, Shami cracked a funny joke on Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
In fact, Star Sports shared a video on social media platform X on Monday, September 2, where host Mayanti Langer Binny invited star player Mohammed Shami on stage and recalled his unusual start to the 2023 ODI World Cup at home.
Mohammed Shami’s funny comment on Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid goes viral
Despite his vast experience and form, Mohammed Shami was a substitute for India’s first four matches due to the team combination until Hardik Pandya got injured and was ruled out of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Mayanti asked the Indian pacer how he managed to stay match-ready despite the uncertainty surrounding his inclusion in the starting XI at the mega event.
After looking at Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami responded with a smile and said that he had become accustomed to such situations, leaving the Indian captain and everyone else in the room, sitting on the floor. The room erupted in laughter when Shami recounted that he had faced similar situations during the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
Shami added a light-hearted dig at Rohit Sharma and former coach Rahul Dravid, and quipped that the team management never thought of benching him once they saw him perform. The player said he always delivered whenever he got the chance and he used to do so, leaving Rohit and Dravid smiling.
In the last three World Cups, Mohammed Shami has had to bide his time, but his response to this challenge has been nothing short of inspiring. Unlike many who might have succumbed to frustration, Shami chose to stay in top condition, maintaining his fitness and readiness throughout.
I am always willing to give myself a chance: Mohammed Shami
His approach is a combination of hard work and mental resilience, proving that preparation is just as crucial as skills. When Shami finally got his chance, he grabbed it with both hands, proving that his time in the dugout had only sharpened his resolve. Notably, Mohammed Shami had finished the 2023 World Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in just seven matches.
Mohammed Shami said: “I think I got used to it because I had the same start in 2015, 2019 and 2023. All three World Cups had the same situation. And when I got the opportunity, the captain and the coaches gave it to me. It turned out that they never thought of making me sit on the bench.
“You can call it hard work. You can call it whatever you want. But I’m always willing to give myself a chance; I can do something. But I can only do something when you give me a chance. Otherwise, I can only make you drink water from the bank. So, it’s better to take a risk and grab the opportunity when it comes.”
Watch the viral clip here:
Always ready, always hungry, always on top! 🙌🏻💪🏻#MohammedShami He opens up about the drive that keeps him going, even after being benched in the early stages of the World Cup! 💥
Watch the full episode – CEAT Cricket Awards on YouTube Channel image.twitter.com/ZJOkfryXpt
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 2, 2024
It is noteworthy that Mohammed Shami has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup where he suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery in February 2024. He is currently working hard at the NCA to achieve game fitness and is likely to return to action with the New Zealand Test series.
