Shami commended the team’s patience and resilience throughout the tournament and shared his personal reflections on missing out on the ODI World Cup title.
Shami shared his thoughts during Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, where he praised the Indian team’s performance in the T20 World Cup. The veteran bowler also reflected on the feelings of confidence and invincibility that hovered over the Indian squad throughout the tournament.”Even in 2023, you wouldn’t have heard anyone say that India will lose,” Shami commented. “When we had 80 runs in the first 10 overs, the feeling (of invincibility) was the same as it was when we had nabbed three wickets in the beginning. There were no doubts on if India are winning the World Cup or not. But then luck… jo naseeb mai hai uske aage aap jaa hi nahi sakte (you can’t go against what’s been written).”
According to Shami, Team India displayed the same level of dominance in the T20 World Cup as they did in the 2023 ODI World Cup. The pacer expressed a sense of nostalgia while watching the T20 games, recalling the undefeated run during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“I’d felt the same watching this World Cup. I was feeling the same watching it from the outside, as I was on the ground that day. In 2023, when we won 10 games in a row, all the teams were thinking how to beat India. When that happens, we should pray. When you make a mountain out of a molehill, that sows doubts and overconfidence. I think the boys showed great patience this time around.”
Shami also conveyed his admiration for his teammates’ achievements and his own ambition of winning the World Cup. He emphasized the significance of contribution and support for the team, irrespective of one’s current role.
“I believe that whoever took part in that competition, whoever was part of the team, deserved to win it. If I’m unfit today and sitting at home, I can only watch the sport as a fan. Those players are my friends and colleagues, I can only let them know what I feel from the outside to help them play better. There isn’t much in our hands. As far as the winners’ medal is concerned, I also dream of winning the World Cup.”
Despite India’s historic unbeaten run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia, who won the trophy. However, India made history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup undefeated.