Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami attributed the remarkable performance of the Indian bowling unit to their relentless dedication and the synergy they've developed. The splendid display occurred during an ICC Men's ODI World Cup match at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where India secured a commanding 302-run victory against Sri Lanka.
Shami exhibited his prowess, clinching 5 wickets for just 18 runs, marking his second five-wicket haul of the ongoing World Cup. He was well-supported by his fellow pacers, with Mohd Siraj bagging 3 wickets for 16 runs, and Jasprit Bumrah chipping in with 1 wicket for 8 runs. Their combined effort resulted in Sri Lanka being dismissed for a mere 55 runs in 19.4 overs. This remarkable feat followed impressive batting performances by Shubman Gill (92), Virat Kohli (88), and Shreyas Iyer (82), who guided India to a commanding total of 357/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Reflecting on the team's exceptional bowling display, Shami said, "All the hard work we are putting in, the rhythm we have found, it's because of that that you are getting to see this storm (on the cricket field), the incredible things our bowling unit is doing." He emphasized that the unity and rhythm they had established within the bowling unit were pivotal to their success.
Shami highlighted the joy they derived from bowling with rhythm, emphasizing, "The rhythm we are bowling with, I can't believe anyone will not enjoy it. So, yes, we are enjoying ourselves a lot and working together as a unit, and you can see the results of that,” This camaraderie among the bowlers had a substantial impact on their performance.
Shami's exceptional spell on Thursday propelled him to become the highest wicket-taker for India in World Cup history. He stressed the importance of maintaining the right rhythm in major tournaments, stating, "Yeah, I am trying, as always, trying to pitch the ball in the right areas and trying to find the right rhythm, because in big tournaments, if you lose the rhythm, it's very difficult to get it back." His focus remained on consistently bowling in the correct areas and lengths.
Regarding his strategy, Shami stated, “So right from the start, the attempt has been to focus on the right areas and right lengths, and it's working, so why not try to repeat it? Yeah, it's tough, but I will say it again: your rhythm has to be right and the areas you hit must be right. Especially with the white ball, if you hit the right areas, you get movement off the pitch. So that's what matters the most.”
Shami also acknowledged the unwavering support from Indian fans. He credited their love and support as an essential factor in the team's success. "Not rocket science. Just a matter of rhythm, good food, keeping your mind uncluttered, and, most importantly, the love of the people. The support we get in India has a huge role. When you go out of India, you get so much support from Indians. So I will keep trying to make everyone happy," he emphasized.
Shami's exceptional performance on Thursday also made him the Indian bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in World Cup history, surpassing Javagal Srinath's record of 3 such hauls.
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