NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Mohammed Shami emphasised the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Team India after their loss to Australia in the ICC World Cup final. Shami noted that such gestures provide players with confidence and hold importance for the team.
Adding another disappointment to the list for Indian fans, Australia secured a six-wicket victory over India in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. This extended the Men in Blue's ICC trophy drought since 2013, while Australia clinched their record-extending sixth World Cup title.
"Such gestures are important (PM Modi meeting players). When the Prime Minister encourages you after that, it gives you confidence. Because your morale is already down. It is something really different," said Shami to the media in Amroha.
Regarding India's defeat in the title clash, Shami conceded that Team India was not deficient in skills or confidence. He emphasised that it simply wasn't their day.
"Overall we all performed really well. There was no shortage of skill and confidence. I feel sometimes as a team, we can all have that one bad day, which can come anytime. That day did not belong to us. We lacked in execution, runs, but there was not anything due to which our morale and confidence was down," said Shami.
Following Team India's heartbreaking loss at the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi cheered up the 'Men in Blue'.
In a video shared by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi was seen motivating Rohit Sharma's side and said that the country is with them. He also said that they had worked hard in the tournament.
Shami was one of India's biggest stars of the World Cup. In India's remarkable campaign that saw the team finish runners-up to Australia and register an unbeaten ten-match winning streak, Shami took 24 wickets. His wickets came in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, with the best bowling figures of 7/57. He took three five-wicket hauls in the tournament and broke several bowling records. He ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.
Coming to the match, Australia opted to bowl first and bundled out India for 240 in 50 overs. On a tough batting surface, skipper Rohit Sharma (47 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), Virat Kohli (54 in 63 balls, with four boundaries) and KL Rahul (66 in 107 balls, with one four) posted important knocks.
Mitchell Starc (3/55) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Skipper Pat Cummins (2/34) and Josh Hazlewood (2/60) also bowled well. Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell got a wicket each.
PM Modi visits Team India dressing room
In the chase, India started off really well and had the Aussies down at 47/3. Knocks from Travis Head (137 in 120 balls, with 15 fours and four sixes) and Marnus Labuschagne (58 in 110 balls, with four boundaries) left the Indian team without answers and guided them to a six-wicket win. Mohammed Shami took one wicket, while Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets.
Travis was given the 'Player of the Match' for his century.
(With ANI Inputs)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less