Despite India's defeat in the World Cup final against Australia, several Indian players shone throughout the tournament. Notably, six Indians secured spots in the ICC's World Cup 2023 XI, with Virat Kohli earning Player of the Tournament for his record-breaking 763 runs. Equally deserving of recognition was Mohammed Shami, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets, a historic achievement for an Indian bowler.
Amid India's stellar bowling performances, including victories against top teams like England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, an absurd conspiracy theory surfaced. Hasan Raza, a former Pakistan cricketer, suggested that Indian pacers might be receiving different balls from the ICC, contributing to their success. Shami swiftly dismissed this theory through an Instagram story during the World Cup.
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In a recent podcast with PUMA, Shami candidly addressed the baseless accusations, expressing his frustration. He emphasized the importance of focusing on performance and denounced the unfounded conspiracy theories propagated by some Pakistani players. Shami asserted that success is achieved through timely performances, not controversies.
Shami highlighted that the legendary Wasim Akram had explained the ball selection process in international cricket. Despite this clarification, some former cricketers persisted in spreading groundless claims. Shami, unyielding in his response, urged individuals to "learn their lesson" and move away from creating unnecessary controversies.
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In the face of these criticisms, Shami remains undeterred, emphasizing the need for a fair assessment of players' achievements without resorting to baseless speculations.