Sachin Tendulkar has been a mentor to many budding Indian cricketers during his playing days and even after it, often encouraging them with words of support and ideas in how to handle pressure in the cricket field. From Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah to Hardik Pandya all these cricketers have benefitted from his words of wisdom. Their performance in the cricket field is there for everyone to see and now it has come to news that Mohammed Shami is the most recent benefactor. Shami, who scripted history by becoming the first player to record a hat-trick in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, had a small chat with the “God of Cricket” during his time out of the Indian cricket team, who advised him to be on his toes despite not playing and said that his (Shami) time will come. Mohammed Shami Becomes First Bowler to Take a Hat-Trick in CWC 2019 During IND vs AFG Match; Joins Elite List of Players to Have Taken World Cup Hat-Tricks.

Shami is also the only 9th cricketer to achieve the feat of taking a hat-trick in World Cups and only the second Indian to do so after Chetan Sharma in 1987. Lasith Malinga is the only player to take two hat-tricks in World Cup history.  Hat-tricks in Cricket World Cups: As Mohammad Shami Scalps Hat-trick Against Afghanistan in CWC 2019, Check All-Time List of Bowlers Who Achieved This Feat.

Sachin revealed that he had told Shami that his time will come when the Indian fast bowler was not selected in the Indian team’s playing XI for the first four matches of World Cup 2019. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was preferred over Shami by the Indian skipper and team management for India’s first four CWC 2019 matches against South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan. Bhuvi performed exceptionally well in those matches therefore not giving the management to recall Shami back into the team. But his unfortunate injury during the India vs Pakistan meant that Shami was the automatic choice for the match against Afghanistan. Bhuvneshwar has been ruled out for at least three matches in the tournament. Mohammad Shami Snaps a Hat-Trick During IND vs AFG, CWC 2019 Match; Internet Users Congratulate The Indian Fast Bowler.

“tumhara time zyaada dur nai hai and tumhe chance milega baut jaldi (Your time will come and you will get your chance soon). I did not want Bhuvi to get injured but I told Shami 'be on your toes,” revealed Tendulkar during an interaction with India Today following India’s 11-run victory over Afghanistan.

"Unfortunately Bhuvneshwar had that injury which allowed Shami to get on the turf. From ball 1, he was consistently close to 90 miles per hour," added the little master.

Shami finished with figures 40/4 from 9.5 overs as India’s clinched its fourth victory of CWC 2019. India beat Afghanistan by 11 runs. His hat-trick came in the final over of the Afghanistan innings, when he was given the responsibility to defend 16 runs. Although he was hit for four in the first delivery, Shami came back in style to clean up the Afghanistan tail in three consecutive deliveries.

He first removed Mohammad Nabi before disturbing the stumps of Aftab Alam and Mujeeb Ur Rahman to complete his hat-trick and etch his name in history.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2019 02:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).