Indian pacer Mohammed Shami recently stood by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul amidst the ongoing controversy involving him and Sanjiv Goenka.
After a disappointing loss against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where the Lucknow Super Giants suffered a crushing defeat by 10 wickets, tensions were high, especially for team owner Sanjiv Goenka. His frustration was evident as he had a heated exchange with skipper KL Rahul on the sidelines. This public display of discontent drew criticism from fans and cricket pundits alike, who saw it as unprofessional and uncalled for.
In the aftermath of the match, Mohammed Shami stepped forward to defend the LSG captain, KL Rahul. He expressed his disappointment with Goenka’s behavior, labeling it as shameful to disrespect Rahul in such a public manner. Shami’s words echoed the sentiments of many who felt that such matters should be handled behind closed doors, preserving the dignity of all involved.
“Players have respect, and you are a respectful person, too, as you are an owner. Many people are watching you and learning from you. If these things happen in front of cameras… ye sharam ki baat hai. it’s a matter of shame,” Shami said.
“If you have to do that, there are many different ways. You could’ve done the same thing in the dressing room or the hotel. It wasn’t necessary to do it on the field. Aise reaction dekar laal qile pe jhanda toh gaada nahi hai aapne (It isn’t as if you hoisted a flag at Red Fort by doing this),” he added.
Mohammed Shami expressed his belief that it’s unfair to publicly criticize the captain, noting that team strategies don’t always go as planned. The 33-year-old fast bowler stressed the significance of showing respect to every player and highlighted the value of communicating in a respectful manner.
“He’s the captain, too, not a normal player. It’s a team game; if the plan isn’t successful, it isn’t a big thing. Anything is possible in the game. I understand there can be good or bad days, but every player has respect, and there’s a way to talk. This sends a very wrong message,” Shami further added.
