World Cup 2023: Story of Mohammed Shami in the words of his coach Badruddin

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami's coach, Badruddin, tells us how a boy from a small village became a world class bowler and took India to the World Cup 2023 final by picking 7 wickets in the semi-finals.

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Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who comes from a remote village of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh, is currently making his mark in the World Cup 2023, helping India win 10 out of 10 matches in the tournament.

India defeated New Zealand by 70 runs in the semi-finals, with Shami making a huge contribution. He picked 7 wickets and got India the ticket to the final. Till now, Shami has taken a total of 23 wickets in the World Cup 2023.

His success is not just due to his hard work, but along with him, his coach Badruddin also has a big contribution. At the age of 13-14, Shami used to come daily to coach Badruddin at Sonakpur Stadium in Moradabad, 25 kilometers away from Amroha, from where he got his luck and his wings.

The story of Shami in the words of coach Badruddin himself

While talking to Aaj Tak, Badruddin said, “Shami's father had brought him to Sonakpur Stadium in 2002. His father said that he had created a stir with his bowling in Amroha. I made Shami warm up and made him bowl for about 30 minutes. There was no difference between the ball he had bowled in the first minute of the game and the ball he had bowled in the 30th minute. He bowled the ball in the 30th minute with the same zeal as when he had bowled the first ball. From then on, his passion was known.”

“He practiced for a month after that when he was 16 years old, we got him an Under-19 trial where he bowled brilliantly but in the last round, he was out and could not be selected. After this, Shami became very sad. We told him that you have come here for the first time and you will go ahead and work hard.”

Shami's coach said that before this he did not play anywhere, he used to play cricket only in his village. His professional career started at Sonakpur Stadium.

Shami's coach said, “Every time he used to come to the stadium before me. In the heat of June, he used to keep speaking even though he was drenched in sweat. Many times we used to get worried and said that he was a crazy fool. There was a lot of passion due to which he has been able to progress so far today.”

Didn't get a chance in the opening match of the World Cup

“Look, this is the World Cup, everything has to be seen in it, due to the messages that were given in the initial phase, we did not get a chance, but then it was very bad for our team when Hardik Pandya got injured, Hardik Pandya is a big part, till now we are not missing him. It is empty because I believe that the bowlers bowled very well and the batsmen won the match. I do not believe that the bowlers bowled very well due to which it became easy for our batsmen and no team could even score 300 in front of us.”

Worked hard to bowl every ball with seam up

“See, he made his seam so strong by practicing that he has mastered it. I also tell the children coming to the academy, if you do wrist drills like him, then you will become a better bowler, that is why Shami bowls well.”

Talks in personal life (dispute with wife) made him stronger

“See, this phase can come in everyone's life and the person who emerges from it goes far. If this comes in the life of a person, he will emerge in 2 years, while a sportsman will recover from this thing in 6 months, and now because of this he has become stronger and I am very happy that he has emerged from everything.”

“The only message I would give to the team is that they should perform as they have been and I would like to see another spell from Shami with the way he’s been bowling.”

Written by: Jagat Gautam