Kolkata: At a time when speculations are rife about the future of two of India’s greatest cricketers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, another player who has played a lot of cricket for the country alongside the duo is gearing up to make a comeback to the national side. Unlike the two, Mohammed Shami was ignored for the white-ball series Down Under. The pacer, who joined the Bengal side on Monday evening, got down to business bowling full throttle at the nets on Tuesday, a day before their Ranji Trophy opening game against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens. “I’m very comfortable. I have been practising for two-and-a-half months ever since the end of the IPL. In between, I also played the Duleep Trophy. You have seen that I bowled 35 overs there. I don’t have any injury concerns. Everything is normal,” Shami, who battled recurring ankle and knee injuries that even needed surgery after the 2023 World Cup, stated about his present status. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had only recently said, “I have no update (about Shami). He has played in the Duleep Trophy. But in the last two-three years, he hasn’t played a lot of cricket. As a performer, we know what he can do, but he has to play cricket.” Shami, who last played for India in the Champions Trophy in 2025, hit back hard. “If you want an update, then you have to ask for it. It’s not my job or responsibility to give an update on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare, and play matches,” he stated. “Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here. If I can play four-day matches, I can also play 50-over cricket,” he reasoned. The veteran pacer, however, did not blame anyone for missing the flight to Australia. “I always say that you should select the best for your country. It’s about the team and the country. I have no objection. If you don’t select me, then I will come here and play for Bengal. I have no issue with it,” he said. Shami felt there’s still cricket left in him and kept his India dreams alive. “Cricket is such a game that you cannot always have the same flow or performance. My performance in the 2023 World Cup (where I was India’s leading wicket-taker) was of a different level. After that, I had an injury. I wanted to come back after the operation. I am trying to do the same. I am ready to go whenever they (selectors) want me to go,” he stated.
