"If I wanted to do Sajda, who could stop me?" Shami slams Pakistan Muslims on trolls over ‘Sajda’ celebration in World Cup
Mohammed Shami, India’s one of the standout players of ODI World Cup 2023, faced massive trolling in one of the matches for not doing Sajda on field
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Mohammed Shami, India’s one of the standout players of ODI World Cup 2023, faced massive trolling in one of the matches. Interestingly, it was the same match when India’s ace fast bowler secured a historic five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka. He was questioned about his on-field gestures.
In a viral video, Shami could be seen kneeling and touching the ground with both hands after removing Kasun Rajitha in the 13th over of Sri Lanka's innings to complete his 5-wicket haul, as his teammates gathered around him to cheer him on.
The pictures and videos of the same were widely shared by Pakistan supporters who opined that Shami thought of doing a 'Sajdah' before changing his mind. They said that he held himself back, fearing backlash. Notably, Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan celebrated his hundred in a World Cup match against Sri Lanka by offering prayers on the field.
Shami, while speaking on Agenda Aaj Tak on December 13, said that he is a proud Indian and a proud Muslim and nobody would have stopped him from praying if he wanted to pray. Shami added that he has never prayed after taking 5-wicket hauls previously and was baffled by how baseless stories were created around his gesture after a sensational bowling show against Sri Lanka.
"If I wanted to pray, who could stop me? I won't stop anyone from praying. If I want to pray, I will pray. What's the problem in this? I will say it with pride that I am a Muslim. I will say it with pride that I am an Indian. What's the problem in that? If I have to ask permission to pray from someone, then why should I be in this country? Have I ever prayed after taking a 5-wicket haul before? I have taken many five-wicket hauls. You tell me where you have to pray, and I will go and pray there," Shami said.
Shami further added that he was bowled with 200 percent intensity in the group match against Sri Lanka and sank to the ground and kneeled because he was tired.
"People like this are not on anyone's side. They only want to create a ruckus. I bowled with 200 percent intensity in that game against Sri Lanka. Wickets were falling in quick succession and after taking 3 wickets, I thought I had to take a 5-wicket haul today. I was tired of not getting a wicket despite beating the edge of the batter so many times. I was bowling at full tilt. So when I got my 5th wicket, I sank to the ground and kneeled. People gave a different meaning to it. I think people who are misinterpreting these things don't have any other work," Shami added.
Shami is likely to win the Arjuna Award this year after his heroics in the World Cup. The Gujarat Titans fast bowler has been one of India's finest all-format bowlers. Shami took an extended break after the World Cup and he is all set to return to action during a 2-Test series against South Africa in the Rainbow Nation, starting December 26.