Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team's star fast bowler, has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional performances, including his pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. However, in a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Mohammed Shami, another Indian fast bowler, boldly declared himself as the best bowler in India at present.When asked, "Who is the best bowler in India?", Shami confidently replied, "Right now? I think it is me."Shami elaborated on his belief, stating, "The unit we had, me, Bumrah, Ishant, Bhuvneshwar, and Umesh Yadav, I don't think any unit in the world has enjoyed as much as we did. As a person, as a sportsman, the unit we had of 5-6 people was one of the best ever."Despite his self-assessment, Shami acknowledged the contributions of his fellow bowlers, saying, "I don't believe in No. 1 or No. 2. We all played our part."Shami also expressed his disappointment over not playing in the 2019 World Cup semifinal despite his impressive performances leading up to it. "In 2019, I didn't play the first 4-5 games. But when I got the chance, I took a hat-trick, then a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game," he said."A similar thing happened in 2023. I didn't play in the first few games, but then I picked up a fifer, then four wickets, and then a five-wicket haul again," he added.Shami questioned the team's decision-making, saying, "I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me? I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity."Despite his frustrations, Shami remains committed to the team and eager to prove his worth. "You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. I played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches," he said.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has made a triumphant return to the nets after recovering from an ankle injury that sidelined him from the T20 World Cup 2024. Shami, known for his exceptional swing bowling, was the highest wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup 2023, claiming 24 wickets in seven matches.In a recent podcast appearance, Shami shared amusing anecdotes about his camaraderie with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli. When asked who between Rohit and Virat was more challenging to face in the nets, Shami revealed that both batsmen were reluctant to face him."They (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) don't like facing me in the nets," Shami said. "I have said this in many interviews. It's like a very friendly bond with Virat. We keep on challenging each other. He tries to play different shots against me, while I try my best to dismiss him. This friendship keeps us motivated, which helps us giving our hundred per cent."Shami added that he had dismissed Kohli twice or thrice in the nets, much to the latter's annoyance. "I always set the field well and then ask Virat to come and bat against me. Rohit never agrees to face me in the nets. He straight away says no," Shami said.The 33-year-old pacer also disclosed that Ishant Sharma and Kohli were among his closest friends in the Indian team. "There is a group of close friends which has Ishant Sharma, Virat Kohli and a few former cricketers and we keep talking to each other on the phone. But it's not like we speak regularly to each other," Shami said.Shami's return to fitness is a major boost for the Indian team, who are eagerly awaiting his return to action. The pacer is a key component of India's bowling attack and his experience and skill will be invaluable in upcoming matches.

Mohammed Shami, India's veteran fast bowler, is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery for an Achilles tendon injury sustained during the ODI World Cup last year. Currently undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Shami recently began bowling in the nets.In a recent podcast appearance, Shami shared some amusing insights into India's training sessions. With 24 wickets in just seven innings at the ODI World Cup, Shami played a crucial role in India's unbeaten run to the final.Speaking about the friendly rivalry between batsmen and bowlers during net sessions, Shami revealed that Virat Kohli enjoys the challenge, while captain Rohit Sharma outrightly refuses to face him."With Virat, we always challenge each other. He likes to hit good shots, and I like to get him out. It helps us focus and simulate real-match scenarios," said Shami.Regarding Rohit, Shami smiled and said, "Rohit says he doesn't like to face me. He refuses to bat against me."Shami missed the entire Indian Premier League and T20 World Cup seasons this year due to his injury. He will require clearance from the NCA medical team and the BCCI before returning to competitive cricket.Speculation suggests that Shami may play a role in the two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October this year. His return would be a significant boost for the Indian team, as he remains one of the most experienced and effective fast bowlers in the country.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian pacer, has expressed his ardent desire to win the World Cup, inspired by his teammates' recent triumph in the T20 World Cup. The Indian team broke an 11-year ICC trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. Shami lauded the team's patience and resilience throughout the tournament and shared his personal reflections on missing out on the ODI World Cup title.In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, Shami praised the Indian team's performance in the T20 World Cup. He highlighted the team's unwavering confidence and belief in their abilities. "Even in 2023, you wouldn't have heard anyone say that India will lose," Shami said. "The feeling was the same as when we had nabbed three wickets in the beginning. There were no doubts on if India are winning the World Cup or not."Shami drew parallels between the team's dominance in the T20 World Cup and their undefeated run in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He expressed a sense of nostalgia while watching the T20 games, recalling the team's remarkable achievement in the ODI World Cup. "I'd felt the same watching this World Cup. I was feeling the same watching it from the outside, as I was on the ground that day. In 2023, when we won 10 games in a row, all the teams were thinking how to beat India. When that happens, we should pray. When you make a mountain out of a molehill, that sows doubts and overconfidence. I think the boys showed great patience this time around."Shami expressed his admiration for his teammates' achievements and his own ambition of winning the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of contribution and support for the team, irrespective of one's current role. "I believe that whoever took part in that competition, whoever was part of the team, deserved to win it. If I'm unfit today and sitting at home, I can only watch the sport as a fan. Those players are my friends and colleagues, I can only let them know what I feel from the outside to help them play better. There isn't much in our hands. As far as the winners' medal is concerned, I also dream of winning the World Cup."Despite India's historic unbeaten run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia. However, India made history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup undefeated.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has vehemently denounced the baseless rumors linking him to tennis star Sania Mirza. The rumors, fueled by manipulated images circulating on social media, have been met with outrage by Shami, who has urged people to exercise responsibility in spreading information online.In a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Shami expressed his frustration over the malicious gossip. He emphasized that such rumors can have detrimental effects on individuals' lives and called for accountability from those responsible for spreading them."It's absurd and done for cheap entertainment," Shami said. "But what can I do? When I open my phone, I see my own photo being used in these memes. I urge everyone to be responsible with social media and refrain from spreading such unfounded news."Shami further criticized the anonymity of those spreading the rumors, stating that they lack the courage to make such claims from verified accounts. He challenged them to come forward and face the consequences of their actions."If you have the guts, say these things from a verified page," Shami said. "It's easy to pull someone's leg. Achieve success, elevate yourself, and then I'll believe you're a good person."Shami's comments have resonated with many, who have condemned the spread of fake news and its potential to damage reputations. The incident highlights the importance of verifying information before sharing it and the need for social media users to act responsibly.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has expressed his bewilderment over the team management's decision to bench him during crucial stages of the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube show, 'Unplugged,' Shami shared his frustration and questioned the rationale behind his exclusion.Shami's record in ODIs is impeccable, with 195 wickets in 100 innings at an average of 23.68. His World Cup stats are even more impressive, with 55 wickets in just 18 games, making him India's leading wicket-taker in the ICC event and placing him fifth overall globally.Reflecting on the 2019 World Cup, Shami recalled, "In 2019, I did not play the first 4-5 games. In the next game, I took a hat-trick, then picked up a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game." Despite his impressive performance, he was benched for the final league match against Sri Lanka and the semi-final against New Zealand, which India lost by 18 runs.Shami's confusion was evident as he continued, "I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity. You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. Played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets."A similar situation unfolded in the 2023 World Cup. Shami was initially left out of the playing XI but was included after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out due to injury. He emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps in seven games, including two five-wicket hauls.Shami's consistent performance when given the opportunity underscores the importance of utilizing players to their full potential, especially in critical tournaments like the World Cup. His exclusion from the team in crucial matches has raised questions about the team management's decision-making process.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has vehemently refuted allegations of ball tampering by Team India during the T20 World Cup, as well as similar accusations made by former Pakistan players during the ODI World Cup.Shami dismissed the claims as baseless and accused Pakistan of being perpetually unhappy with India's success. He challenged the accusers to prove their allegations by allowing him to open the ball and demonstrate the absence of any tampering devices."Pakistanis were never happy with us and will never be," Shami said. "Someone said we are being given a different ball, someone said there is a chip in the ball. I have previously mentioned that if I ever get an opportunity or a platform in the future, I would definitely like to open the ball and show whether there is any device inside or not."Shami also criticized former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for his allegations that India's bowlers were using a modified ball with an embedded chip. He dismissed Inzamam's claims as "cartoonish" and accused him of misleading the public."The team that performs against them gets targeted there," Shami said. "Suppose I bowled with the device and pressed the button incorrectly. I intended to bowl an inswinger but it turned into an outswinger, resulting in a boundary. This kind of cartoonish behavior can happen elsewhere; these are just ways to fool the public."Shami pointed out that India's bowlers have a proven track record of reverse swing, and that Arshdeep Singh's ability to reverse the ball in the 15th over of the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan was a testament to their skill."If it was Pakistani bowlers (reverse swinging the ball) this would have been a big issue," Shami said. "We know reverse swing very well and if Arshdeep can come in the 15th over and start reversing the ball, it means some serious work had been done before."Shami also revealed that Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are his best friends within the Indian cricket team, who have supported him during his recent ankle injury.

Mohammed Shami, India's star pacer, has revealed his closest friends within the Indian cricket team as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Shami, who has been out of action since the ODI World Cup, has been working diligently to regain his fitness and is eager to make a comeback.In a recent interview, Shami disclosed that Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are his best friends. He praised their unwavering support during his injury lay-off, noting that they regularly checked on him and provided encouragement. "Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are my best friends. They are the ones who call me and check on me when I am injured and in recovery," Shami said.Shami's recovery process has been gradual, but he is taking a measured approach to ensure a full and lasting return. He recently shared videos on social media showcasing his progress, cautiously bowling a few deliveries in the training nets. "Vibing with the latest, grinding for the greatest," Shami captioned one of his posts.Despite missing the IPL 2024 and T20 World Cup, Shami remains optimistic about his future. He is likely to make his comeback in the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, which will feature two Tests and three T20 Internationals in September-October.Shami's absence was keenly felt during India's recent cricketing endeavors, particularly during the South Africa tour and the five-match Test series against England. However, his impressive performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches, serves as a testament to his skill and determination.As Shami continues his recovery, he is receiving support from his teammates and the Indian cricket fraternity. His return to the field will be a significant boost for the Indian team, which is looking to regain its dominance in international cricket.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has finally returned to the nets after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup, sidelined Shami for the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup.Shami's absence was a significant blow to India's cricketing aspirations. He missed the South Africa tour and the five-match Test series against England, where his experience and skill would have been invaluable.Despite playing through pain during the World Cup, Shami emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches at an astonishing average of 10.70. His performances were a testament to his resilience and determination.Shami's recovery has been a slow and arduous process. He underwent surgery earlier this year, but his rehabilitation took longer than expected. However, he is now cautiously returning to bowling, albeit at reduced intensity.In a recent social media post, Shami shared a video of himself bowling in the nets. The video shows him delivering a few deliveries with caution, indicating that he is taking a measured approach to his comeback.Shami's return is a major boost for India ahead of the home series against Bangladesh. India will host Bangladesh for two Tests and three T20 Internationals in September-October. Shami is likely to make his comeback in this series, where he will be eager to prove his fitness and regain his place in the Indian team.