‘What More Do You Expect’: Shami Grudges Upon Shastri & Kohli Benching Him at the 2019 WC Semifinal

Mohammed Shami was an absolute talisman for Team India during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Men in Blue were a freight train, thanks to Shami's deliverance with the ball. The pacer was a delight for the fans when India was a part of the 2019 World Cup, in which Shami also wreaked carnage. However, the controversial part was when the Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri regime did not select him in the semifinal of the 2019 WC Semifinal clash, which led to them eventually losing the high-stakes match-up. Shami opened up on his snub as he questioned why he had to warm the benches despite putting in a robust effort in the preceding matches.

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Mohammed Shami Is Still in Disbelief on His 2019 World Cup Semi Final Snub

During an interaction with Subhankar Mishra in one of his videos on his YouTube Channel, Mohammed Shami revealed he could not wrap his head around the fact that he was benched even though he performed well in the previous matches as he took 13 wickets in three games, making his overall count to 14 in four match-ups.   

“The one thing I keep wondering is every team needs players who can perform well. 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. 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. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches,” Shami added.

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The quick bowler continued, saying that if he is denied these worthy opportunities, he cannot demonstrate his abilities. He never brought up the issue with anyone, though, since Shami believes that people who have faith will approach him.

It was a blatant jab at the Kohli-Shastri combination, who was in charge of making decisions throughout the 2019 World Cup, even if Shami did not mention any names.

Mohammed Shami was the megastar for Team India after he scalped 24 wickets in the seven games he appeared. He finished the tournament as the highest wicket-taker. He put his heel injury on the line, which eventually worsened, and he had to fly abroad for his treatment.