Image Credit- AP
Mohammed Shami didn’t “feel bad” while
waiting on the sidelines and observing the opening four games. He was solely
concerned with getting ready as though he was going to play and seizing
opportunities as they presented themselves.
India had to change their balance on Sunday due to an
injury to Hardik Pandya. Shardul Thakur was ejected, giving Shami the
opportunity he had been seeking. He eliminated Will Young with his very first
ball, and later in the innings, he made a mark with a superb stretch of death
bowling to finish with 5 for 54, his second World Cup five-for.
“When you come back after a long time to the XI,
it is important to get confidence early,” Shami said at the post-match
presentation. “My first game in the World Cup helped me regain that
confidence. It’s not too hard (waiting on the sidelines) if your team is doing
well.”
Shami was questioned on how frustrating it seemed to
be for him to be sitting outside. Due to the team’s preference for a bowling
all-rounder to bat at No. 8, which they departed from after Hardik’s injury, he
only lost out to Shardul for the purpose of team balance. Without backup
bowlers, India had the chance of losing in Dharamsala, but it didn’t cost them
anything.
“They are your team-mates and if they are doing
well then you should be supporting them,” Shami said when asked about
warming the bench. “If it’s in the team’s interest, I am okay with it. The
wickets were important as it came against an opponent, which was sitting top of
the points table going into this clash.”
“Personally, my outlook is simple: you keep
enjoying,” he said. “This is the biggest sport, biggest place in
cricket. You have 15 players. Four of them have to stay out. So, by being
positive and enjoying the moment, you will get results. I always think to
myself, I may not be here today, but I will be here tomorrow. If not tomorrow,
then the day after tomorrow. We will definitely come in at some stage with
rotation. And when your time comes, you contribute for the team. I think that
way.”