Indian skipper Rohit Sharma praised the right-handed pacer Mohammed Shami as the ICC World Cup 2023 final against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Sunday (November 19) closes in.
Australia, looking for their sixth World Cup, is set to take on the in-form and undefeated India, who eye their first ICC trophy since 2013, in the much-anticipated final where more than 100,000 spectators are expected to watch the showdown between two powerhouses.
Sharma, who has amassed 550 runs in the mega event so far, lauded the 33-year-old for his immense comeback in the national team. He also revealed how, despite knowing he wasn’t going to be part of the squad, Shami kept on working in the nets.
"It was tough for Mohammed Shami not to be part of the World Cup initially. He was there to help Mohammed Siraj, and it shows his quality. We told him why he wasn't part of it and he worked in nets. The results are showing and say a lot about him," Rohit told reporters.
One man’s loss is another man’s gain, the world saw a live example of this when Shami replaced Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya who was ruled out of the tournament following an ankle injury.
Shami came in and took the World Cup by storm as he is now the top-wicket taker of the World Cup with 23 scalps to his name in just six innings. He also took seven wickets in the tournament's semi-final against New Zealand and proved his importance once again.
Earlier, the 33-year-old revealed the reason behind his instant success in the mega event and revealed that he looks at the situation and also builds up a plan if the ball isn't swinging.
"I always look at what the situation is, how the pitch and the ball are behaving and if the ball is swinging or not," Shami told Star Sports.
"And, if the ball is not swinging, I try and bowl stump to stump while trying to land it in a zone where the ball can catch an edge of the batters (when they) are driving."