Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has backlashed on the critics of Mohammad Shami, who was receiving the flake online after his ordinary performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai. Shami conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs as India went down against arch-rivals.

Pakistan broke the Indian hoodoo of the World Cups by defeating their neighbour rivals in their campaign opener of the T20 World Cup 2021 in Dubai. Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul couldn’t survive Shaheen Afridi’s opening burst and got out inside the powerplay.

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Virat Kohli scored a fifty but didn’t get much assistance from any of his teammates as India managed 151 runs on the board in 20 overs.

In response, the Indian bowling lineup looked toothless and failed to threaten Pakistan’s opening partner duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Both scored nonchalant fifties and took Pakistan over the line with all 10 wickets in hand.

Like every other Indian bowler, Mohammad Shami also had an off day, which triggered online abusers to target him.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir came in his support and called the abuses ridiculous.

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“India lose to Pakistan on Sunday. By Monday/Tuesday, Mohammad Shami’s integrity towards his team and country was being questioned. How ridiculous can that be? Is it to say that Jasprit Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar Kumar were more committed because they belong to a certain religion? Where are we heading?,” he wrote in a column for Times of India.

“I know Shami very well as I have led him in KKR. He is a hard-working, committed fast bowler who just had an off day. Unfortunately for him, it happened against Pakistan. But that can happen to anyone. Why can’t we just say, “well done Pakistan” and leave it at that?” Gambhir added.

India will face New Zealand in their next match on October 31 in Dubai.