Reports: Mohammed Shami regularly took injections for World Cup 2023 as he was dealing with chronic heel issue.

Team India’s seasoned pacer, Mohammed Shami, is said to have consistently relied on injections during the 2023 ODI World Cup to manage a chronic left heel issue, persistently playing through pain. Despite this challenge, the 33-year-old delivered a stellar performance, emerging as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches, boasting an impressive average of 10.70 and securing three five-wicket hauls.

Reports from news agency PTI reveal that Shami’s outstanding contributions occurred despite grappling with the persistent heel issue.

PTI talked with a former Bengal cricketer who stated:“Shami has a chronic left heel issue. A lot of people don’t know that he took injections regularly during World Cup and played the entire tournament through pain,But you must understand that as you grow older, recovery from each niggle or big injury takes that more.”

Notably, he was initially excluded from the playing XI for the first four matches, as the team favored an all-rounder in Shardul Thakur. However, a crucial turn of events during the match against Bangladesh, where Hardik Pandya suffered an injury, led to a strategic shift, prompting the inclusion of Shami in the playing XI.

Shami remarkable performances underscored his resilience and determination to contribute significantly to India’s campaign in the ODI World Cup.