Mohammed Shami opens up on the World Cup Sajdah controversy: ‘Mai kisi se nahi darta….if I wanted to do it, I would have’

India’s premium pacer Mohammed Shami has spoken out against controversy peddlers who suggested that India’s leading wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup didn’t wish to perform Sajdah after taking a wicket in India’s World Cup win against Sri Lanka last year.

Taking to his YouTube channel, Shami responded to social media posts after India’s win in Mumbai, which spoke more of the controversy rather than his five-wicket haul as India bundled Sri Lanka out for 55.

“There were people who were saying that I wanted to do Sajdah, but didn’t. Some people called out the country, others my caste. Jinke dimaag mai jo keeda tha wo bola (Whatever filth they had to mutter, they did). Rather than appreciating my bowling, people highlighted that controversy,” Shami said in the video.

The said incident took place in the 18th over of Sri Lanka’s chase, when Shami removed Kasun Rajitha to complete his 5-fer and went down on the ground on both knees, which was speculated on social media by many as an attempt to perform Sajdah.

 

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Shami explained, “I was bowling a fifth over in a row, I think, and was bowling with effort beyond my ability. I was tired. The ball was beating the edge so often, so when I finally got that fifth wicket, I went down on my knees. Someone pushed me, so I moved forward a bit. That photo was widely circulated across social media. People thought I wanted to do Sajdah but didn’t. I’ve got only one advice for them, please stop such nuisance.”

Shami finished the World Cup as the leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps from a mere seven outings and toppled Javagal Srinath and Zaheer Khan to become India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

“First of all, mai kisise nhi darta iss cheez se (I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to this),” Shami said. “I’m a Muslim, and I’ve said this before, I’m proud of being one. And I’m a proud Indian too. For me, the country comes first. If these things bother someone, I don’t care. I live happily, and I represent my country, nothing matters more to me. As far as the controversies are concerned, those who only live to play these games on social media, I don’t care about them. As far as Sajdah is concerned, if I wanted to do it, I would have. It shouldn’t concern anyone else.”

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The 33-year-old is currently recovering from an injury that’s kept him out since the conclusion of the tournament in November.

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