Team India speedster Mohammed Shami has slammed trolls for creating needless controversy over his celebration after his fifer against Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup league-stage match. In a viral video, he can be seen kneeling down and touching the ground with both hands after removing Kasun Rajitha to complete his five-wicket haul.
Some social media users also stated that he wanted to perform the ‘Sajda’, but stopped midway, fearing backlash as well. Meanwhile, the users compared the incident to Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan who was seen celebrating his hundred by offering namaz, which was criticized by many as well.
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Speaking on Agenda Aaj Tak, Shami was quoted as saying by India Today, “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 in this? I will say it with pride that I am a Muslim. I will say it with pride that I am an Indian. What’s the problem in 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,” he added. “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.”
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“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,” Mohammed Shami stated.
