Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has emerged as the standout performer for the Indian cricket team in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023. With 23 wickets to his name in six matches, Shami currently holds the title of the tournament’s top wicket-taker. His impressive performance includes three five-wicket hauls and a four-for. Shami’s remarkable contribution was particularly evident in the semifinal against New Zealand, where he claimed seven wickets.
Interestingly, Shami did not feature in India’s playing XI in the first four matches of the competition. However, an unfortunate injury to all-rounder Hardik Pandya opened the door for Shami, and he never looked back since then. His consistent and impactful performances have made him India’s go-to bowler.
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh praised Shami’s contributions and suggested that he deserves the Player of the Tournament award. Yuvraj expressed his belief that Shami’s performances have been outstanding and that he has set the stage on fire. Yuvraj also acknowledged that India has always had match-winners on the bench, and Shami’s emergence has been a testament to that.
Additionally, Yuvraj mentioned the opportunities for India’s head coach Rahul Dravid and batsman Rohit Sharma to win their first World Cup medals. Dravid came close to winning the World Cup as a player in 2003, but India lost to Australia in the final. Similarly, Rohit Sharma missed out on the title in the past editions, with India being eliminated in the semi-finals. Yuvraj highlighted the return of players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah, which has strengthened the Indian team’s combination.
As the Cricket World Cup 2023 progresses, Mohammed Shami’s exceptional performances continue to make him a frontrunner for the prestigious Player of the Tournament award.
