If anyone deserves Player of the Tournament award, it's Mohammed Shami: Yuvraj Singh

The former Indian cricketer, Yuvraj Singh has tipped Mohammed Shami as the player of the tournament of the ICC World Cup 2023. This choice might raise eyebrows, considering the presence of stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. However, Shami's prowess as India's primary bowler in the tournament is undeniable. Leading the charts with 23 dismissals across six matches at an economy rate of 5.01, Shami has emerged as the top wicket-taker, showcasing his exceptional skill and consistency on the field.

The 33-year-old's exceptional feats boast of three instances of claiming five wickets and one four-wicket haul. His standout performance of seizing seven wickets in the semifinal against New Zealand at Mumbai remains unforgettable. Initially sidelined from the playing XI in India's initial four games, the Uttar Pradesh pacer's entry due to Hardik Pandya's unfortunate injury proved pivotal. Since then, the pace maestro has continuously delivered, cementing his indispensable role in the team.

"India always had match-winners on the bench. I won't say Hardik's injury was a blessing in disguise, but everyone was waiting to see how Shami would perform, and the way he has set the stage on fire has been outstanding. I feel if anyone deserves the Player of the Tournament award, it's Mohammed Shami," Yuvraj told Sports Tak.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have a chance to get their first World Cup medal: Yuvraj

Rahul Dravid, now India's head coach, tasted bitter defeat in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, missing the coveted title by a whisker. Similarly, Rohit Sharma has faced the sting of near-misses. Although absent from the 2011 championship-winning squad, he later joined the team for two subsequent editions. Unfortunately, both times led to heartbreak in the semifinals, denying Sharma the ultimate World Cup glory. Speaking of the same the southpaw opined,

"Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have a chance to get their first World Cup medal. They deserve it. Before the Asia Cup, we were wondering where the Indian ODI team was because we didn't know the combination. However, the return of Iyer, Rahul, and Bumrah certainly made a difference," Yuvraj added.