Mohammed Shami during the 2023 World Cup (AP)
Mohammed Shami emerged as one of India’s star performers at the 2023 World Cup at home. Even though the cricketer was sidelined from the playing XI in his side’s first four games, he finished the tournament as its leading wicket-taker, tallying 24 wickets from just seven innings for the Indian team.
Shami’s impressive World Cup haul underlined the value he has been adding to the team ever since he made his international debut in 2013 as a 22-year-old.
Notably, despite being born in Uttar Pradesh, Shami never played for the state throughout his domestic cricket career. At a very young age, the speed maverick had shifted to Bengal instead in a bid to find cricket opportunities.
Quite recently, the legendary fast bowler revealed the reasons behind his domestic shift, citing an absurd demand from the state selectors during his initial days as a cricketing youngster.
Mohammed Shami makes huge claim about UP selector
In a recent interview with PUMA, Mohammed Shami revealed that he was rejected as a youngster by the Uttar Pradesh selectors. The cricketer recalled his brother’s conversation during one of the selectors during a selection trial for UP, where the official had stated:
“If you can move my chair, the boy will be selected. He is a good talent, but I’m sorry.”
The cricketer revealed that his brother threatened back with a response of his own, but Shami was willing to get selected based on his capability so he decided to move to Calcutta at the age of 14 or 15.
The Indian speedster added that he went to Arun Lal Academy where he gained enough experience to make his competitive domestic debuts for Bengal.
Regardless of his past experience, Mohammed Shami was recently facilitated by current Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who claimed that the government will be building a cricket stadium at the cricketer’s hometown in Amroha, UP.
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