‘How ridiculous can that be?’ – Gautam Gambhir exasperated as Mohammed Shami faces online abuse

Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was subjected to online abuse following India’s humiliating defeat against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021. Nothing really went well for Team India in the game as their arch-rivals walked away with a comprehensive 10-wicket triumph. This defeat also brought an end to India’s long-running winning streak against the Men in Green in World Cup events.

While many Indian players couldn’t perform well in the game, Mohammed Shami was at the receiving end of some unfortunate criticism. The right-arm speedster had an off day as he conceded 43 runs in 3.5 overs and couldn’t take a single wicket. While many analysts and experts dissected what went wrong for the pacer, a section of social media users dragged his religion into the matter.

Apparently, Shami, who took a match-winning four-wicket haul against Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup, was accused of underperforming intentionally in order to see Babar Azam’s men cross the line. This didn’t go down well with many members of the cricket fraternity as they expressed disappointment over the fans’ mentality. Former Indian batter Gautam Gambhir has also joined the bandwagon of supporting the Indian bowler.

Mohammed Shami is hard-working and a committed fast bowler: Gautam Gambhir

The cricketer-turn politician was exasperated by the fact that Shami’s integrity was questioned after just one dismal show. “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?” Gambhir wrote in his column for The Times of India.

“Where are we heading? I know Shami very well as I have led him in KKR. He is 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,” he added. While Gambhir was upset with the unfair accusations, he lauded his contemporaries for supporting the paceman.

“We have to be mindful that cricket and films are two most followed industries in our country. Both offer hope. Hence these industries and their protagonists are always looked up to. I am glad to note that cricketing fraternity stood up for Shami and there was support from all corners,” asserted Gambhir.