Ben Stokes praised Mohammed Shami for his outstanding performance in the World Cup 2023, calling him the bowler of the tournament. Shami has taken 14 wickets in just three matches so far, and his overall World Cup record is equally impressive, with 40 wickets in 13 matches across three editions, at an average of 14.07 and an economy rate slightly below five.
Shami played a key role in India's whopping 302-run against Sri Lanka. Notably, he has taken more four-wicket or better hauls in World Cups than any other bowler, surpassing Mitchell Starc and Imran Tahir with a total of seven such impressive feats.
One of Shami's most memorable moments in the World Cup was when he bowled brilliantly against Ben Stokes during the India vs England match. He set up Stokes perfectly and dismissed him for a low score. Stokes tried to hit the ball for a boundary, but it moved unexpectedly and hit the stumps. This exciting battle had the entire stadium cheering for Shami.
During a press conference before the England vs Australia game, Stokes praised Shami and his consistent ability to take wickets.
"I've played a lot of cricket against Shami, he's a fantastic bowler and I think we watched him last night and they brought a stat up in a World Cup is quite phenomenal actually. He's obviously been the bowler of the World Cup, I think. I don't think he's played every game but the way in which he's, in every situation and every game he's come in it's been incredible the amount of wickets he's taken. He's just found a way to be able to get wicket[s]. Obviously that spell against us was one of many he's had this World Cup. Sometimes you just say to the opposition that you're very good and Mohamed Shami's been very good throughout this whole World Cup," said Stokes.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
