• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

India pacer Mohammed Shami feels that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the Indian dressing room after the World Cup Final defeat against Australia on Sunday was 'something different' to experience as it boosted the morale of the players after a heartbreak.

In yet another ICC tournament, India failed to live up to the expectations as they missed out on ending their 10-year-long title drought despite coming so close to the trophy. Australia outplayed India in the ODI World Cup Final at Narendra Modi Stadium to clinch their sixth title in front of more than 1.3 lakh spectators. PM Modi was also in attendance along with Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles.

ALSO READ: 'It Was Great To See Rinku': Suryakumar Yadav Lauds Youngster On Clinching Last-Ball Thriller

After the completion of the match, PM Modi encouraged players by paying a visit to the Indian dressing room and giving a pep talk to the team.

"Such gestures are important (PM Modi meeting players). When the Prime Minister encourages you after that, it gives you confidence. Because your morale is already down. It is something really different," Shami told reporters in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh.

The ace pacer further added that India lacked execution in the summit clash but did not lack in morale and confidence.

"Overall we all performed really well. There was no shortage of skill and confidence. I feel sometimes as a team, we can all have that one bad day, which can come anytime. That day did not belong to us. We lacked in execution, runs, but there was not anything due to which our morale and confidence was down," Shami said.

ALSO READ: IND vs AUS 1st T20I: Viewers Face Glitches In JioCinema During Match Streaming 

In a video shared by the Prime Minister's Office, PM Modi was seen motivating Rohit Sharma's side and said that the country is with them. He also said that they had worked hard in the tournament.

Shami was one of India's biggest stars of the World Cup. In India's remarkable campaign that saw the team finish runners-up to Australia and register an unbeaten ten-match winning streak, Shami took 24 wickets. His wickets came in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and a strike rate of 12.20, with the best bowling figures of 7/57. He took three five-wicket hauls in the tournament and broke several bowling records. He ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament.

Coming to the match, Australia opted to bowl first and bundled out India for 240 in 50 overs. On a tough batting surface, skipper Rohit Sharma (47 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes), Virat Kohli (54 in 63 balls, with four boundaries) and KL Rahul (66 in 107 balls, with one four) posted important knocks.

Mitchell Starc (3/55) was the pick of the bowlers for Australia. Skipper Pat Cummins (2/34) and Josh Hazlewood (2/60) also bowled well. Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell got a wicket each.

In the chase, India started off really well and had the Aussies down at 47/3. Knocks from Travis Head (137 in 120 balls, with 15 fours and four sixes) and Marnus Labuschagne (58 in 110 balls, with four boundaries) left the Indian team without answers and guided them to a six-wicket win.

Mohammed Shami took one wicket, while Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets. Travis Head was given the 'Player of the Match' for his century.

(With ANI inputs)