Mohammed Shami has been a standout performer for India in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Despite missing the initial league matches, Shami’s impact has been monumental, notably in the semifinal against New Zealand, where he achieved a historic bowling spell of 7/57 in 9.5 overs. This remarkable performance surpassed Ashish Nehra’s 2003 record, marking India’s best bowling display in World Cup history.
Shami’s bowling prowess extends to his exceptional record against left-handed batters. Throughout the World Cup, he has bowled 52 deliveries to left-arm batsmen, conceding a mere 32 runs. Impressively, eight of his 23 wickets in the tournament were claimed against left-handers, including key players like Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Devon Conway of New Zealand, among others.
In the six games of the 2023 World Cup, Shami boasts outstanding statistics with 23 wickets at an average of 9.13 and a remarkable strike rate of 10.91. His best figures of 7/57 underscore his pivotal role, making him the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
Mohammed Shami has been in sublime form
Shami’s achievements extend beyond this World Cup, as he became the seventh bowler to reach 50 World Cup wickets, achieving this milestone in a record-breaking 17 innings, surpassing Mitchell Starc’s previous record of 19 innings. His four five-wicket hauls in Cricket World Cup history also make him the highest in this category, overtaking Australian left-arm quick Starc.
In the latest match against New Zealand, India posted a formidable score of 397/4, with standout performances from Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer. The Kiwis, in their pursuit of 398, faced early setbacks but mounted a strong response with a notable 181-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and skipper Kane Williamson.
However, Shami’s crucial two-wicket over-shifted the momentum, and India’s bowlers sealed the victory by restricting New Zealand to 327 in 48.5 overs. For his exceptional contribution, Mohammed Shami was rightfully awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his dream spell, solidifying his status as a key player in India’s journey to the World Cup final.
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