The Indian cricket player, Mohammed Shami, revealed that his performance in the approaching two-game Test series with South Africa hinges on the condition of his injured knee.
At 33 years old, Shami did acknowledge that his knee’s been plaguing him for a while now. He noted acute testing is needed before confirmation on whether or not he can join the South Africa trip for the two Test matches.
During an interview with Sports Tak, Shami stated:
“I am ready to go, but only if there is no pain. There was some irritation in my knee for a very long time. I will have to get some tests and checkups done. So, if it is at the stage where it won’t trouble me again, I will surely go for the Test series.”
Mohammed Shami
The seasoned campaigner has also voiced his ambition to be a part of India’s squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
“Obviously, I am ready. I will try to make sure that we don’t make the same mistakes again.”
Mohammed Shami
Shami was the highest wicket-taker at the 2023 World Cup, finishing with 24 scalps in just seven innings.
“We were very close to winning the World Cup” – Mohammed Shami
At the 2023 World Cup, Team India trounced every opponent they faced, completing a 10-match winning run before of the crucial final versus Australia.
The Men in Blue’s juggernaut, however, came to an end with Australia’s six-wicket victory in the summit showdown.
Mohammed Shami commented on India’s effort, saying:
“Since the day I reached home, that has been the only topic of discussion at home or with my friends. It keeps on repeating, and I feel that we were very close to winning the World Cup.”
Mohammed Shami
In the final, India had to stop a 241-run target. The fast bowler remembered the match and said that following the seamers’ strong start, the hosts would have won if the spinners had taken a few wickets.
“We are able to take three early wickets in the final. I was confident that we just needed one more wicket. It was going through my mind that if our spinners would take one or two wickets, the game was ours.”
Mohammed Shami
Shami appreciated Rohit Sharma and his teammates’ consistent support from fans during the tournament and went on to say that he didn’t meet a single unpleasant person during the 2023 World Cup.
“If you look at our World Cup journey, right from day one, the whole country enjoyed the effort and the game we showed. There was not even 0.001 percent chance of finding a negative person who believed that India wouldn’t win the World Cup. It was wonderful to see that kind of support for us.”
Mohammed Shami