"I will take the balls used in the World Cup to Pakistan" - Mohammed Shami responds to ball change conspiracy theory
Team India's star pacer Mohammed Shami recently spoke about how a few former Pakistan cricketers made bizarre claims during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Ex-Pakistani player Hasan Raza had alleged that the ICC had given different balls to the Men in Blue bowlers during the showpiece event.
Reacting to the comments, Shami mentioned that he is willing to visit Pakistan with the balls used in India's 2023 ODI World Cup matches. The seasoned campaigner remarked that he would ask the Pakistani experts if they wanted to cut the ball and see what was inside it.
Speaking on journalist Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube channel, Shami said:
"I will take the balls used in the World Cup to Pakistan. It is written on those balls that they were used in which matches. I will take all the three balls that I have. I will sit with 10-15 people in a panchayat and say, 'Brother, tell me which ball do you want to cut?'"
Shami also clarified that he wasn't considering retiring from any format in the near future. He mentioned that he would only hang up his boots when he got bored of playing cricket. The 33-year-old stated that he still has the confidence that nobody can beat him on the cricket field and said:
"Regarding my retirement, many people have raised a question mark. I don't take anything from anyone's father. Talking about retirement, the day I will feel bored of cricket, that'll be tata bye bye. About the formats, when I will be on the field, beat me if you can.
"I will keep this confidence even in old age. I will only be on the ground when I have that confidence. The day I get bored, or the confidence isn't there, I will post a photo myself and say thank you so much."
Mohammed Shami stole the show with his bowling exploits at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The ace speedster claimed 24 wickets from just seven outings, finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the 2023 edition.
"You see the records and judge yourself" - Mohammed Shami on being called underrated
Mohammed Shami also spoke about how he has got the underrated tag despite having a brilliant record. He pointed out that he has several records to his name and has performed better than many bowlers whom fans consider greats.
The veteran bowler said:
"You see the records and judge yourself. Just see if there is anyone better than me or not, be it red-ball or white-ball, doesn't matter. You talk about records that yes, these are the records that beat mine. You see in the entire history of Indian cricket, who is the fastest to 100 wickets, who is the fastest to 150 wickets.
"The bowlers whom you consider greats, I might have broken those records much before them. Underrate, keep behind, don't' give chances, that's different, but as a sportsman, I believe in just one thing, give a chance."
The seamer highlighted that he has always performed whenever he has been given a chance. He noted that while he was benched for the initial matches of the 2019 ODI World Cup, he made a significant impact in the four games that he played, adding:
"I don't understand one thing and there's this question mark in my mind too. Every team needs a player who performs. I have taken 13 wickets in three matches, what more do you want? I can show my skills only when I get a chance. You gave me a chance, I took 13 wickets in three matches (in the 2019 World Cup)."
Mohammed Shami is currently gearing up for a comeback following a hiatus due to injury hiatus. He underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon earlier this year.