Mohammed Shami Reveals MS Dhoni's Advice Just Before His Hat-Trick
Published - 23 Jun 2019, 02:31 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:00 AM
India pacer Mohammed Shami has credited MS Dhoni after his sensational hat-trick in the thrilling win over Afghanistan on Saturday. Bowling the last over of the game, Shami had to defend 16 as Afghanistan gave India a mighty scare. With Mohammad Nabi still at the crease, the game could have gone either way.
The over started on a poor note for Shami as Nabi hit him straight down the ground for a four. This is when MS Dhoni was seen running towards Shami and told him something. The result was there for everyone to see. The next ball was a dot delivery. Shami then dismissed Nabi, Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to power India to a thrilling victory.
Also Read: Mohammed Shami Becomes Second Indian To Take World Cup Hat-trick
“The plan was simple. To bowl a yorker and even Mahi bhai suggested that. He said, ‘Don’t change anything now as you have a great chance of getting a hat-trick. It’s a rare opportunity and you need to do the same thing. So I did what exactly I was told,” Mohammed Shami told reporters after returning with figures of 4 for 40.
Speaking about the final over, Shami said that there was not much time for him to think and plan.
“There was no time to think. You have to back your own skills as you don’t have much option otherwise. If you try more variations, chances of going for runs is more. My thought was to execute my plan rather than trying to read batsman’s mind,” he said.
Mohammed Shami, meanwhile, became just the second India after Chetan Sharma to take a World Cup hat-trick. His hat-trick was the tenth in the World Cup.
Talking about the game, India had managed only a modest total of 224 for 8 in their 50 overs. In reply, Afghanistan were cruising at one stage with the scoreboard reading 106 for 2. But the Men in Blue showed remarkable composure to pull off the win. With this win, India are now third in the points table with 9 points from 5 games.
