Mohammed Shami finally breaks silence on 'Sajda' controversy during World Cup, says he's a proud Indian

Mohammed Shami was the standout performer with the ball for India in the ODI Cricket World Cup. Despite missing the first four matches, Shami finished the tournament with 24 wickets in just seven games, the highest tally in the tournament.

Following his remarkable performances, including three 5-fers, with a standout seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semi-final, the Indian pacer has now been nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award - the nation's second biggest sporting honour.

And the veteran pacer now has finally broken his silence on the 'Sajda' controversy. Following his five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka during the World Cup, Shami kneeled on the ground, a gesture that some social media users misinterpreted.

In an interview with Aaj Tak, Shami addressed this issue. "If somebody wants to do Sajda, who will stop him? I will not stop anybody from your religion, you will not stop anybody from my religion. If I have to do Sajda, I will do it. What is the problem? I say it with pride that I am Muslim. I am an Indian, I say it with pride that I am an Indian," he asserted.

Shami emphasized his Indian identity and religious freedom, stating, "If I had an issue, I wouldn't have lived in India. If I need to take anyone's permission to do Sajda, why should I live here?" He also clarified that his kneeling was due to exhaustion from exceeding his physical limits during bowling, and not for religious reasons.

Shami, who is currently undergoing medical treatment, is slated to join the Indian cricket team for the upcoming Test series in South Africa starting December 26.

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