Shami questions Kohli-Shastri tactics in 2019 World Cup; sounds clueless over snub from XI despite performance

Mohammed Shami is one of India’s best all-format bowlers and perhaps the most successful in the 50-over World Cups. However, despite star performances across the past two editions (2019 and 2023), wherein he picked 38 wickets in just 11 matches, including several five-fors and a seven-wicket haul in the semis last year, Shami questioned Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri's tactics during the 2019 edition.

Recalling the decisions made by the captain and the coach during the 2019 World Cup in England, Shami said despite picking a hat-trick (against Afghanistan) and ten more wickets in the remaining three games that he played, he got dropped from the playing XI from the final league game (against Sri Lanka) and subsequently against New Zealand (in the semis), which India lost and got knocked out of the tournament.

Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube show, ‘Unplugged,’ Shami sounded clueless about management’s call over his selection in the XI.

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Meanwhile, much like last year when he got a chance after the first four matches, Shami suffered the same fate during the 2019 edition, wherein he got picked for the first time during the mid-tournament.

“In 2019, I did not play the first 4-5 games. In the next game, I took a hat-trick, then picked up a five-wicket haul and then four wickets in the next game. A similar happened in 2023. I did not play in the first few games and then picked a fifer, then four wickets and then a five-wicket haul again,” Shami said during the show.

“The one thing I keep wondering is every team needs players who can perform well. I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me? I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity.

“You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. I played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches,” the India ace seamer added.

Shami prepares for comeback

Out with an ankle injury he suffered during the 2023 World Cup, seamer Shami aims to return to the cricket field during the upcoming home season, starting with Bangladesh Tests in September.

As Team India gets ready for a new season under Gautam Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid as the new head coach, Shami will eye a spot in the XI across formats, preparing for the five Tests Down Under starting November and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan early next year.

(With inputs from agencies)