Watch: Mohammed Shami opens up on PM Narendra Modi's dressing room visit after India's defeat in CWC 2023 final

PM Narendra Modi congratulated Mohammed Shami for his magnificent World Cup performance.

Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad was in deep silence after India lost the final encounter against Australia of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. India after having a dominant run till the semi-finals failed miserably in the finals and missed out on the ICC title after a 6 wickets defeat. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Indian dressing room after the loss and to consoled the players. PM Modi met with Indian players and had a brief interaction with them. 

This visit created a bit of outrage as a few former players believed the dressing room was a sanctum sanctorum and nobody from the outside was allowed to enter the dressing room. 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad was the first one to raise his voice and oppose PM Modi’s visit. Now, Mohammed Shami has come out in support of PM Modi’s visit to the dressing room and said that it was a much-needed gesture from the Prime Minister after a loss. 

Mohammed Shami defends PM Modi’s dressing room visit

After finishing World Cup 2023, Mohammed Shami arrived in his native village in Amroha (UP) and said, “It was a much-needed gesture as during that time we had lost a game and when the Prime minister comes to meet you then a different confidence hits on players.” PM Modi met with Mohammed Shami and also congratulated him for his magnificent form in the tournament. Shami took 24 wickets in 7 games in the World Cup 2023. 

Mohammed Shami further added, “When someone who is an important and responsible man from your country comes to interact with you then it boosts your confidence. So I believe that this was something big from the Prime Minister.” PM Modi while interacting with the team said, “Smile, the whole nation is watching you.” to uplift their confidence. He stayed there for a few minutes and then left the dressing room for further proceedings. 

Watch the video here:

Mohammed Shami had a terrific ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after missing out on a few initial games. Shami was not originally part of the team plan as Shardul Thakur and Ravi Ashwin were given preference over him. Hardik Pandya’s injury caused a major shift in the strategy making Mohammed Shami play 7 games in the tournament. Shami ended up as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and also completed 50 World Cup wickets in his small World Cup career. 

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