Mohammed Shami slams trolls over “Sajda” controversy: I am a proud Indian, a proud Muslim

Senior Indian pacer hit back at trolls who tried to target him for his celebration after completing his five-wicket haul in the ICC World Cup match against Sri Lanka last month. Shami starred for India in the 50-over tournament at India and ended up being the highest wicket-taker in the whole tournament despite having not been able to make it to the playing Xi in the initial 4 games.

Shami took five wicket-hauls in the World Cup 2023, in which two came against New Zealand and the third was against Sri Lanka. However, during the Sri Lanka match, a part of social media users tried to create controversy after Shame celebrated his 5-wicket haul.

In a viral video, Shami was seen kneeling and touching the ground with both hands after removing Kasun Rajitha in the 13th over of Sri Lanka’s innings to finish his 5-wicket haul, as his teammates were gathered to cheer him.

A section of social media users claimed after seeing Shami’s celebration that he wanted to pray on the field, but held himself back, fearing backlash. Notably, Pakistan pacer Mohammed Rizwan celebrated his century in a World Cup match against Sri Lanka by offering prayers on the field.

Shami, while speaking on Agenda Aaj Tak on December 13 about the ‘Sajda’ controversy, said that he is a proud Indian and a proud Muslim and nobody would stop him from praying if he wanted to pray. He also added that he has never prayed after taking 5-wicket hauls previously and was baffled at how baseless stories were created around the gesture.

“If I wanted to pray, who could stop me? I won’t stop anyone from praying. If I want to pray, I will pray. What’s the problem with this? I will say with pride that I am a Muslim. I will say with pride that I am an Indian. What’s the problem with that? If I have to ask permission to pray from someone, then why should I be in this country? Have I ever prayed after taking a 5-wicket haul before? I have taken many five-wicket hauls. You tell me where you have to pray, and I will go and pray there,” Shami said.

Mohammed Shami further added that he was bowled with 200% intensity in the group match against Sri Lanka and he has touched the ground because he was tired.

“People like this are not on anyone’s side. They only want to create a ruckus. I bowled with 200 percent intensity in that game against Sri Lanka. Wickets were falling in quick succession and after taking 3 wickets, I thought I had to take a 5-wicket haul today. I was tired of not getting a wicket despite beating the edge of the batter so many times. I was bowling at full tilt. So when I got my 5th wicket, I sank to the ground and kneeled. People gave a different meaning to it. I think people who are misinterpreting these things don’t have any other work,” Shami added.

Shami is likely to win Arjuna Award after his better performance in the World Cup. He took an extended break after CWC and he is back during a 2 Test series against South Africa.