The ODI World Cup 2023 has seen top form from star India pacer Mohammed Shami, who has garnered a lot of praise for his performance at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, October 2, where India beat Sri Lanka by a massive 302 runs.
After a remarkable 5-wicket haul against New Zealand in Dharamsala, he bagged four wickets against England in Lucknow, and on Thursday, he added a five-wicket haul in the match against Sri Lanka. This outstanding feat took his World Cup wickets tally to a staggering 45, catapulting him to India's leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Javagal Srinath.
Shami took three wickets in just seven balls against Sri Lanka, with the wicket of Angelo Mathews a sight to behold. The precision in his delivery and the tenacity in his approach epitomised the essence of his exceptional talent. His bowling storm not only led to Sri Lanka's dismal score of 55, the fourth-lowest total in World Cup history but also secured India an astounding victory by a margin of 302 runs.
When asked about the driving force behind his recent outstanding performances, Shami attributed his success to the relentless hard work and dedication of the entire fast-bowling unit. "I want to first thank Allah - all the hard work we are putting in, the rhythm we have found, it's because of that that you are getting to see this storm (on the cricket field)," Shami remarked.
Shami's involvement in the ODI team has been inconsistent, even during the World Cup year, yet his impact has been undeniable, particularly in the three matches he has played in the tournament. He has dedicated extensive hours to rigorous training in his hometown, where he maintains a personally tailored cricket ground featuring diverse pitch variations.
"As always, my focus remains on strategically placing the ball in the optimal areas and maintaining the ideal rhythm. In significant tournaments, recovering lost momentum is incredibly challenging. Right from the outset, my aim has been to concentrate on hitting the right areas and achieving the perfect lengths, and this approach has yielded positive results. It's undoubtedly demanding, but I reiterate the importance of maintaining the correct rhythm and targeting the appropriate areas.
"Particularly when using the white ball, precision in delivery generates movement off the pitch. That's the crux of it all. It's not rocket science—simply a matter of rhythm, wholesome nutrition, a clear mind, and, most importantly, the unwavering support of the people," he further explained.
India's exceptional performance secured their placement in the semi-finals of the World Cup 2023 after triumphing in all seven matches, propelling them ahead of South Africa to claim the top spot on the points table.
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