Today’s India-Bangladesh match in Pune will be the 17th match of the 2023 ICC World Cup . This is the 4th match that India will play. But the absence of India’s best fast bowler Mohammad Shami in this World Cup has left the fans sad and at the same time questioning. Will Shami get a chance to play in World Cup 2023?
Shardul Thakur is selected in the team in place of Shami. But as he is not fully utilized, the question arises as to whether Shami is being sidelined by design and his white ball cricket career is coming to an end. The same is true of test cricket life. Because of Shami’s 20 runs in a single over against Pakistan in the 2020 T20 World Cup, a section of the fans trolled him with hatred, and Virat Kohli opposed them and voiced his support for Shami. After this, Virat Kohli quit his white ball captaincy and also left the Test captaincy.
Later Ishant Sharma himself mentioned in an interview that Ishant Sharma was asked if Mohammed Shami was involved in cricket gambling which shocked many. In this case, Shami was not selected in today’s match against Bangladesh. Shardul Thakur bowled only 2 overs against Pakistan that day. There is no chance for him to bat. Then why Shardul Thakur is the biggest question. It is also not clear whether there is any plan in the background to eliminate Shami as Shardul Thakur is being selected continuously.
Shami and Ashwin are the two great bowlers of the Indian team. But they are in flux. Shardul Thakur is also out of the World Cup plan. Not in future Indian team plans either. But he continues to be given opportunities.
Even if he is throwing correctly at the given opportunity, that is not the case. In today’s Bangladesh match, in the first over bowled by Shardul, Bangladesh’s left-arm opener Tansit Hasan hit a six at square leg, then came down and hit a boundary over mid-on, and a six at extra cover in the next ball, giving away 16 runs in a single over.
The continued selection of Shardul Thakur in the team and not selecting Shami seems to be a decision that will surely end Shami’s career.
The former chairman of the selection committee of the Indian team MSK. Prasad is rambling without any understanding. Before this match, he said, “Is the influence of players like Shami, Ashwin important, is it important to win the World Cup? Not taking Shami would hurt from the fans’ point of view. But captain Rohit Sharma’s vision is to field the best XI in every match,” he has hinted, knowing or not knowing the details.
Will someone choose to join the team for influence? Shami and Ashwin are senior bowlers. They can bowl brilliantly on any pitch. Shami is definitely a better bowler than Shardul Thakur in the middle overs. If Shardul Thakur is included in the team against South Africa, New Zealand and England, it is inevitable that Seema Sathu will buy.
Former Bangladesh cricketer Attar Ali says, “Shami should play against Bangladesh. He is a veteran of 94 ODIs. Shami has taken 171 wickets. Shardul is a good bowler but it is right to pick the veteran. Shami is accurate on his line and length. Has good swing. Shami’s economy rate is less than 6 runs per over. Shardul is over 6 runs.” said.
Former India player and current Trinamool Congress politician Manoj Tiwari insists that Shami should have been given a chance over Shardul Thakur. But it also raises the question whether the non-selection of Shami has something to do with captain Rohit Sharma and the team management or not.
