Indian frontline bowler Mohammed Shami has made a surprising revelation that he played the 2015 world cup with a fractured knee.
Shami took 17 wickets in the tournament, the second-highest number of wickets in the team behind Umesh Yadav and 4th highest in the entire tournament.
Shami: My Knees And Thighs Were Of The Same Size
The fast-bowler also elaborated about the effect of the injury on his body. He said that his thighs and knees were of the same size and the doctors removed fluid from his knees daily.
Shami said these words while speaking with Irfan Pathan on Instagram Live. He said, “I had a knee injury during the 2015 World Cup. I couldn’t walk after the matches I played throughout the tournament with the injury. I played the 2015 WC because of Nitin Patel’s (former Indian physio) confidence.
“The knee broke in the first match itself. My thighs and knees were the same sizes, doctors used to take out fluid from them every day. I used to take 3 painkillers,” he added.
Shami also told former captain MS.Dhoni and the team management’s encouragement as the reason for continuing to play in the tournament despite the injury.
Shami mainly recalls the incident before the semi-finals against Australia in Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Before the semi-final, I had told my teammates that I couldn’t take it any longer. On the day of the match, I had a lot of pain. I discussed it with the management but they said it will be alright. Mahi (Dhoni) Bhai, the team management gave me so much confidence. They said it’s the semifinal we cannot go for a new bowler,” he said.
“I bowled the first 5 overs and gave away about 13 runs with a wicket. I beat Finch and Warner’s bats but couldn’t get the edge. So I went off after telling Mahi Bhai.
“Some Said My Career Was Over”
The condition was very bad even after I took an injection. I told Mahi Bhai that I cannot bowl because I cannot run any longer. But he told me I trust you, any other part-timer will also go for runs.
He just told me don’t give away more than 60 runs. I haven’t played in a worse condition than that. 4mm piece had chipped off the bone. Some said my career was over, some said I shouldn’t have played. But touchwood I’m still here now in front of you all,” Shami added.
