In the aftermath of Australia’s Cricket World Cup victory, an image of cricketer Mitchell Marsh putting his feet on the trophy circulated widely on social media, drawing criticism from fans and players alike. Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, expressed his disappointment with Marsh’s gesture, stating that it hurt him to see someone disrespect the coveted trophy that all teams compete for.
“I am hurt. The trophy for which all the teams in the world fight, the trophy which you want to lift over your head, keeping a foot on that trophy did not make me happy,” Shami said during a press interaction on Thursday. Shami’s comments highlight the emotional attachment players have to the World Cup trophy and the impact such actions can have on the spirit of the game.
Shami’s Pitch Inspection Philosophy
Shifting the focus to his approach to examining the pitch, Shami revealed that he doesn’t check the pitch before going into a match. He emphasized that understanding the pitch’s behavior is best done while bowling on it during the match. The pacer stressed the importance of keeping things simple and staying relaxed to enhance performance.
“Generally, bowlers check the pitch after arriving at the ground. I never go close to the wicket because you will know how it behaves only when you bowl on it. Then why take the pressure? It’s best to keep it simple, keep yourself relaxed, and only then you will perform better,” explained Shami during a conversation with PUMA India.
Reflecting on World Cup Sitting Out
Shami also shared insights into his mental strength when sitting out matches during the World Cup. Despite missing initial games, he highlighted the satisfaction derived from witnessing the team’s strong performance and positive direction. Shami concluded the campaign as the leading wicket-taker, securing 24 scalps in just seven matches.
In a positive turn of events for the Indian team, they emerged victorious in the first match of the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia. The match, held at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, saw India defeating Australia by two wickets, setting a promising tone for the series.
As the cricketing world discusses Marsh’s controversial act, Shami’s remarks shed light on the deep emotional connection players share with the prestigious Cricket World Cup trophy.
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