Indian pacer Mohammad Shami finally broke his silence on the issue of controversy stirred up by certain individuals over Sajdah during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Some of the social media users claimed that Shami deliberately refrained from performing the Sajdah after taking a wicket during the India versus Sri Lanka clash at the CWC 2023.
Now, Shami took to his YouTube channel to confront these claims. The leading wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup 2023 spoke about how social media users focused on the alleged controversy rather than his remarkable performance of taking a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka at Wankhede Stadium.
The moment occurred during the 18th over of Sri Lanka's innings when Shami took his fifth wicket by dismissing Kasun Rajitha. After that wicket, the Indian pacer went down on both knees, a gesture that sparked speculation on social media platforms, with many suggesting that it might have been an attempt to perform Sajdah.
As reported by The Indian Express, Mohammad Shami said: “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.”
Sharing further details, Shami noted: “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 said that he is proud Indian and Muslim, and if he wanted to do Sajdah, he would have since he isn’t afraid of people.
He noted: “First of all, mai kisise nhi darta iss cheez se (I’m not afraid of anyone when it comes to this). 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.”
He signed off by saying, “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.”
