Mohammed Shami addressed the growing scrutiny around his national team snub with a rather blunt statement saying, “Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai” (We are like labourers; we just have to keep bowling)."
Speaking at the launch of the third season of the Bengal Pro T20 League at Eden Gardens on April 7, Shami went on to say, "There will be ups and downs in life, injuries and all, but you should never forget your ground-level hard work. If you chase too many 'fancy things', that becomes your weakness. Nowadays everyone is after social media."
The remark sums up Shami's approach, where he references ‘fancy' elements which he believes now dominate modern cricket. The 35-year-old pacer who comes from a farming background stressed that staying rooted remains central to his mindset. "I'm born into a farmer's family and I've not left my roots. As a player, I still have that hunger. If you want to play at that level again, you must have that drive in you.”
Shami's comments come against the backdrop of a puzzling selection timeline. Shami's last international appearance came in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand on March 9, 2025. Since then, he has been left out of India's Test tour of England, the white-ball tour of Australia, multiple home series, and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
While chief selector Ajit Agarkar initially pointed to fitness concerns, Shami had countered those claims last year, insisting he had returned to full bowling intensity. More recently, India captain Shubman Gill indicated that reintroducing Shami could disrupt the current bowling combination, which has leaned toward younger options.
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However, Shami's performances continue to challenge that narrative. In the ongoing IPL 2026, he sent KL Rahul back on a duck with his very first ball of the season. Shami followed that up with a spell of 2/9, including 18 dot balls, in the next game to help Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) secure their first win of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy, he picked up 37 wickets at an average of 16.72, including a decisive 8/90 in the semifinals. His Vijay Hazare Trophy returns, 15 wickets in seven matches, further underline his consistency.
Even as selection doors remain closed, Shami made his priorities clear. Declaring Bengal his “karm bhoomi”, he said he would continue to represent the state “as long as there is strength” left in him.
LSG are next in action on Thursday against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, with Shami returning to what he has described as his ‘home' ground, having represented Bengal on the domestic circuit since making his debut for the state in the 2010-11 season.
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