From Online Abuse to Cricket World Cup Glory: Celebrating Indian Bowler Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami, an Indian bowler, previously subjected to social media criticism due to his Muslim faith, has now risen as a national team hero. As India gears up to compete against Australia in the Cricket World Cup final on Sunday, Shami's remarkable performance in the semi-final against New Zealand cannot go unnoticed. With seven wickets, he achieved the highest number of dismissals in the history of this tournament, further solidifying his standout position in this World Cup.

Cricket fans worldwide rejoiced as their favorite team emerged victorious on Wednesday. Shami, an exceptional bowler, has been hailed as a potential leader who could guide them to success in the final. Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his admiration for Shami's bowling performance not just in the recent game but throughout the World Cup, believing it will be remembered and treasured by cricket enthusiasts for generations to come. Modi promptly shared his praise on the social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, "Well played Shami!"

Celebratory headlines ruled the local news as the Times of India, one of the biggest English-language newspapers in the country, extensively highlighted the way Shami astounded the cricketing world.

However, amidst the widespread admiration, commentators promptly alerted fans to remember that Shami, being one of the few Muslim cricketers in the national team, recently faced discriminatory and racist online attacks targeting his identity and religious beliefs.

The player faced a barrage of online hate in 2021 following India's loss to Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup. The India-Pakistan cricket matches, renowned for being one of the most intense sporting rivalries, are intertwined with geopolitical tensions. Despite sharing a cultural heritage and a closely linked past, the two nations have engaged in three wars and impose limitations on cross-border trade and travel.

Former captain Virat Kohli and other respected sports figures came to Shami's defense amidst the escalating hostility directed towards him. Kohli, in a widely covered news conference, firmly stated that targeting someone based on their religion is incredibly disgraceful, emphasizing their unwavering support for Shami.

Religious tensions in predominantly Hindu India have heightened since Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came into power, implementing policies that critics claim are biased against minorities.

Following Shamis impressive performance this week, social media users were quick to highlight the irony that a man who was previously targeted with hateful comments is now leading the country to the finals, which will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in the western state of Gujarat on Sunday.

Cartoonist Satish Acharya recently shared a sketch on social media depicting cricketer Shami in a cricket stadium. In the image, a fan can be seen expressing support to the bowler by saying, "We are with you brother!" This depiction reflects the change in the way Shami is being treated, as he has now moved from being trolled in the past to being showered with love.

CNNs Dhruv Tikekar contributed reporting