'You will be selected only if...': Shami recalls horrific experience of UP Ranji selection trials

Ace India pacer Mohammad Shami had a blast in the recently concluded 2023 ODI World Cup and picked up 24 wickets from seven games. The Indian pacer was the highest wicket-taker of the tournament and also picked up three five-wicket hauls. His performance in the IND vs NZ CWC 2023 semi-final was the most memorable performance of the tournament. 

3 things you need to know 

• India lost to Australia in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup by six wickets 
• The Indian team lost ninth ICC knockout match in the last ten years 
• Mohammad Shami picked up a seven-wicket haul in the IND vs NZ CWC 2023 semi-final match 

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Mohammad Shami recalls horrific selections days of the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team 

Mohammad Shami has had to deal with many challenges in his life which is the main reason behind the place he is currently in his life. In an interaction with the sporting brand PUMA, Shami recalled the horrible selection days with the Uttar Pradesh Ranji team. Shami stated that during his selection days for the UP Ranji team, he used to get kicked out once he entered the final round of the selection. Mohammad Shami said: 

I had gone to give trials for the UP Ranji Trophy team for 2 years, but whenever the final round came, they used to kick me out. When I was not selected after the trials in the first year, I thought it doesn’t matter. Will come again next time, but next year the same thing happened again. 

Mohammad Shami further revealed about an incident that happened with his brother after which he had made up his mind to leave Uttar Pradesh. Mohammad Shami said: 

My brother used to watch all this happening. He was very sharp in this matter. When I went again the next year, the same thing happened, 1600 boys were there and the trials were going to last for 3 days. Brother said, I am not able to understand anything. A fair is going on here. Brother talked to the selection head. Brother got such an answer from him which he had never imagined in his life. The selector told brother that if you can move my chair, then the boy will be selected. It’s very good. Otherwise, sorry.

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After suffering discrimination in Uttar Pradesh, Mohammad Shami moved to Bengal, and since also made his debut for the Indian team against Pakistan in the year 2012. 

Mohammad Shami's marvellous performance in the CWC 2023 

Mohammad Shami missed out on the first four matches of the 2023 ODI World Cup due to the Indian team's set combination. However, it was Hardik Pandya's injury which led to his comeback in the team and since then he has been doing wonders for the team in the ODI World Cup. However, the 33 year old pacer was not able to take his team to the title after 12 years.