India pacer Mohammed Shami has garnered a lot of attention with his hattrick in the game against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. But it was Chetan Sharma to became the first India to grab a hattrick at the biggest stage during the 1987 World Cup. Sharma, who has got some limelight after Shami’s incredible feat, has backed Virat Kohli-led Indian team to win the marquee tournament.
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Sharma backs Inda to win the third World Cup
The Men in Blues have a made thumping start to their World Cup campaign. They have won four matches while one ended in a washout against New Zealand. They outplayed thier opponents in the first three games before escaping a shocker against Afghanistan. Chasing 224 set by India, Afghans almost overhauled the target riding on a half-century from Mohammad Nabi before Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami guided India home in the death overs. Shami bagged a hattrick in the last over to become the second Indian after Chetan Sharma to claim a World Cup hattrick.
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Sharma, who has now found a friend in that record list heaped praise on Shami. In a chat with TOI, he also backed Virat Kohli & Co to win the ICC World Cup 2109. India have won the World Cup title twice. In 1983, under the captaincy of Kapil Dev and then in 2011, under MS Dhoni.
“India have a bright chance. The way India are playing and dominating, I am sure Virat (Kohli) will bring the cup. Dhoni did in 2011 and I am sure Virat will repeat it in 2019,” Sharma said.
Proud of what Shami has done: Sharma
Furthermore, Chetan Sharma admitted that it was a proud moment for all the Indians. He also revealed that he was sitting in front of the television screen when Mohammed Shami achieved this feat after 32 long years. Sharma bowled New Zealand’s Ken Rutherford, Ian Smith and Ewen Chatfield during a league match against the Kiwis in Nagpur in the 1987 World Cup.
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“It is a proud moment for all of us. After 32 years someone has taken a World Cup hat-trick. The wait was long but at end of the day I am so happy. I am glad that Shami has ended this long wait. 32 years is a long time,” he concluded.
