New Delhi:Mohammed Shami’s remarkable achievement in claiming a fifer against Sri Lanka, solidifying his position as India’s most prolific bowler in the ODI World Cup, was not the only aspect that garnered attention. Shami’s distinctive celebratory gesture, placing the cricket ball atop his head after securing his fifth wicket, swiftly became a viral sensation across various social media platforms.
Under Shami’s leadership, the pace bowlers wreaked havoc, enabling India to secure their seventh consecutive victory, thus securing a spot in the semifinals. The 33-year-old paceman led from the front, delivering his career-best ODI bowling figures of 5 for 18, which led to Sri Lanka being dismissed for a meager 55 runs in their pursuit of India’s formidable target of 358.
In the midst of the Shami phenomenon that took over Wankhede Stadium, his unique celebration, particularly the ball-on-head gesture, captured the limelight.
Following the match, Shubman Gill, a teammate of Shami, revealed that the bowler’s gesture was a tribute to their bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, who happens to be bald.
Team India went on to achieve a monumental 302-run victory in their seventh match of the World Cup, maintaining their undefeated status in the ongoing cricketing extravaganza.