Mohammad Shami has been a revelation in this CWC 2023 for India. He did not seem to be in great form before the tournament. Hence, Mohammad Siraj has been prioritized over him. Still, he kept working on his fitness and seam position. He showcased his usefulness again and again but Siraj with Asia Cup Final cemented his place as new ball bowler.
As Hardik Pandya gives balance to the team with his batting and medium pace, Shami did not find place in the team. Team wanted to take another all-rounder along with Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, to give more batting strength. Since, Pandya got injured, team wanted to improve the bowling strength. So, Shami came into the side and he became first change bowler.
His infusion into the team has changed bowling strength of Team India. He played match against New Zealand after Pandya got injured against Bangladesh. Shami took 5/54 in the match and became Player of the match. Against England, he took 4/22 and determined the result in favour of India. In the next match, against Sri Lanka, he took 5/18 and once again took Player of the Match.
Against South Africa, he took 2 wickets and looked off color against Netherlands. But he continued his form against New Zealand in the Semi-Final. Shami took first 2 wickets and then, broke the partnership. By the end of the innings, he ended up taking 7/57. He registered the best bowling figures for India in ODI history. Also he took 23 wickets in 6 matches in this CWC 2023.
In total CWCs, he took 54 wickets in 17 matches with 12.90 average. He is just behind Wasim Akram, who took 55 wickets. He is the only bowler for India to take more than 50 wickets in World Cup history. Mohammad Shami has been blessing for India, in this world cup and he could be the biggest contender for Player of the Series. From 100 ODI matches, he took 194 wickets and in Final, India would be expecting for him to hit 200 wickets.