World Cup 2023: Everyone should enjoy other's success, says Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami said India’s success has kept him motivated on the sidelines of the World Cup. When he returned, against New Zealand, he took a five-wicket haul to post match-winning figures of 5/54 and take the Player of the Match honour.

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India were forced into making changes to their lineup after Hardik Pandya injured his ankle. Shami came into the lineup alongside Suryakumar Yadav for Shardul Thakur.

Shami made the most of the opportunity as he recorded his second five-wicket haul in World Cups.

Daryl Mitchell struck 130 runs and New Zealand were cruising at 178/2 at one point. Shami struck to rattle the middle and lower order to keep the opposition total down to 273 all out.

India rode on Virat Kohli’s 95 to clinch their fifth straight win and Shami said he never felt left out in the previous victories.

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“When you are not playing, it is very difficult. But if your team is performing, your boys are moving in a rhythm, then I don’t think you should feel guilty sitting outside,” Shami told reporters.

“Because you are also a part of the team and a part of the World Cup. I think everyone should enjoy each other’s success.”

Shami, a veteran of 95 ODIs, was pivotal to India’s success in the past decade but has recently slipped down the pecking order. Fast bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur was India’s first choice alongside fellow seamers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Pandya in the previous three wins.

But the 33-year-old Shami prefers to keep his spirits high in the dugout.

“Personally, I keep my outlook as – you keep enjoying,” he said.

“Because in India the biggest sport is cricket. The biggest place is the place where you are sitting. It’s not necessary to be there (in the playing XI). You have 15 players. Four of them have to stay out. So, by being positive and enjoying, I feel you will get more results.”

India next take on defending champions England at Lucknow on Sunday and Shami said practice makes the team perfect.

“When you play continuous matches, recovery becomes very important,” he said.

“But you think, or the outside world thinks, that cricketers get separated when they rest for eight days. That’s not true. Cricketers can’t be separated because you always want to be better and better. There’s never an off.”