“Took 13 wickets in three matches" - Mohammed Shami admits to being perplexed after not being picked for 2019 World Cup semifinal
Senior Team India pacer Mohammed Shami has admitted that he was surprised with the management's decision to leave him out of the playing XI for the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal against New Zealand despite taking 13 wickets in four matches.
Shami picked up 4-40 against Afghanistan in Southampton, which included a hat-trick, 4-16 against West Indies in Manchester and 5-69 against England in Birmingham, which India lost by 31 runs. The pacer was benched for India's last league match against Sri Lanka and the semi-final as well.
During an interaction on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube show 'Unplugged', Shami reflected on his performances in the 2019 ODI World Cup. Admitting that he was a bit perplexed at being left out for the knockout match against New Zealand in Manchester, he commented:
"I could not understand one thing. There is this question mark in my mind. Every team needs those players who are performing. (I) took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect? I have neither any questions nor the answer. If you give me an opportunity, I will speak.
"I can show my skill when I have the ball in my hand. I got an opportunity and picked up 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand (in the semi-final). I played a total of four matches and claimed 14 wickets. Here, (2023 ODI World Cup), I played seven matches and took 24 wickets," he added.
Asked if he sought clarity over the decision to leave him out of the playing XI for 2019 World Cup semi-final despite his impressive performances, Shami replied that he doesn't feel the need to do that.
"I don’t ask questions. Why should I? There is no need to. If you need my skills, give me a chance and that’s it," the Uttar Pradesh-born pacer stated.
India lost the 2019 World Cup semi-final to New Zealand by 18 runs. Chasing a target of 240, they were bowled out for 221 in 49.3 overs.
Mohammed Shami has an exceptional record in the ODI World Cup
Shami (33) has a sensational record in the one-day World Cup. Although he has played only 18 matches, the right-arm pacer has claimed 55 wickets at an average of 13.52 and an economy rate of 5.13, with four five-wicket hauls. In fact, he's India's leading wicket-taker in the ICC event.
The experienced fast bowler finished as the leading wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup, picking up 24 wickets in seven matches, which includes a sever-fer in the semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai.