During the CEAT Cricket Awards last month, the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami shared some funny incidents about his experiences at the World Cup making everyone present inclusive of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, laugh.
Star Sports shared a video on Sunday that included these comic incidents. During the conversation with her, Shami was talking about going through three ODI World Cups, and how he was never the first choice for a squad at the beginning of any of those tournaments, but turned into a major player every time he was given an opportunity.
In a rejoinder, Mohammed Shami pointed out the consistent theme in his World Cup outings. He may not have been the first choice, yet he always found his way into the battle whenever the situation warranted so. This frank submission snatched a sizeable portion of audience’s attention. Rohit Sharma and former coach Rahul Dravid were all among others who tried in vain to hide their laughter. In a light mood, Shami commented, “Aadat pad gayi hai shayad, kyunki ’15 me, ’19 me and ’23 me, teeno me same start hua hai. The second captain of the team, the coaches, who have done this to me after giving me a chance, doing well. So much so that these people never thought of sitting me again.”
As Mohammed Shami finished off, the audience bursted out in laughter and he said “Mehnat kar sakte hain..ki intervals fo koi hote nahi hain mujhse toh wo quiet sorta hamesha main ready rahta hoon ki haan mujhe chance mile. Because you will allow me a chance, that is the first that I will do anything in that, otherwise, he will get water only from the table from the bench.
So better it is that when the opportunity comes take it, [You can call it hard work but i am always in the mood for a chance. Only when you make available me a chance, I can prove myself. Otherwise, that all I can do from the bench is to run out to the field to give water. It is good to take this chance whenever it is given to you.”]
Such comments are in line with the personality of Mohammed Shami. Shami was not on the first XI in this World Cup, or if you will, he was not in the first XI until an injury to Hardik Pandya sustained in the group round against Bangladesh handed him his chance. He made use of it in spectacular fashion, finishing with 24 wickets in seven matches, the highest for any player in the competition.
At the awards function, the utterances of Shami exposed the crocodile hardness of his character and more importantly, helped discover the comic aspect of his life. Those memories made a powerful impact on those who were present, especially Rohit Sharma.
