'Wish we had 300 runs' - Mohammed Shami reflects on World Cup final loss against Australia

The entire nation is still recovering from India’s harrowing loss in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The fans and players have expressed their disappointment openly on social media as they’ve penned emotional notes for the Indian team.

Recently, fast bowler Mohammed Shami opened up India’s poor show in the final and stated that they were short of runs with the bat. Shami said that if the team had scored 300 runs batting first then they would’ve easily defended the total. Notably, India were bundled out for 240 in 50 overs after being put in to bat first by the Australian captain. The score was comfortably chased down by the Aussies in the 43 overs courtesy of a splendid hundred by Travis Head (137 off 120).

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“We didn't have as many runs. Wish we had 300 runs, then we could have easily defended. But I don't think it is right to blame any one particular thing. It is important to look at where we stand as a team. It is important to work as a unit. But I'll say one thing that maybe, we fell short on runs,” Shami was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Despite ending on the losing side, Mohammed Shami had a memorable campaign in the World Cup as he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 24 scalps to his name from just seven matches at an average of 10.70 and an economy of 5.26. The speedster picked three five-wicket hauls in the tournament and achieved the feat of picking the most fifers in ODI World Cup history (4).

Mohammed Shami had a record-breaking campaign in World Cup 2023

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He also became the fastest to take 50 wickets in the mega event achieving the feat in just 17 innings. The 33-year-old added another feather in his cap as he registered the best bowling figures by an Indian in both ODIs and the ODI World Cup by picking up a sensational 7/57 against New Zealand in the first semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.