Mohammed Shami drops colossal "I leave cricket..." statement
Published - 21 Jan 2025, 04:32 PM | Updated - 21 Jan 2025, 11:36 PM
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After 14 months on the sidelines due to heel surgery followed by a side strain and knee issues, India’s senior pacer Mohammed Shami is all set to make his return to international cricket with the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting on January 22 in Kolkata.
He last played for India in the 2023 World Cup final. However, Mohammed Shami was expected to make his comeback during India's Test season, but knee complications delayed his return. However, the Bengal pacer played in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, and Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 to prove his fitness.
Mohammed Shami set to return to the International arena with renewed energy
Now, Shami is ready to roar high for Team India in the first T20I against England. Notably, the seasoned pacer has also been named in India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series as well as for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but his fitness is still a concern for the think tank and they will get clear answers after the ODI series.
They will closely watch how Shami performs physically over the next two weeks. However, it is unlikely that he’ll play all five T20I matches against England, but his performance in the upcoming ODIs will be crucial for India ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, as the pacer is aiming to regain his full fitness for the proper comeback.
Shami says hunger for playing for India drives him through a tough period
Ahead of the first T20I in Kolkata, Mohammed Shami opened up about his comeback story, saying his passion and love for representing India have been his driving force throughout his lengthy recovery. Shami knows his time in the Indian cricket team won't last forever, so he is determined to make the most of every opportunity to play before retiring from the game.
Mohammed Shami said at an event hosted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB): “Country ke liye jo khelne ki bhoonkh hai woh kabhi khatam nahin honi chahiye. Apko agar usse pyar hai toh aap hamesha fightback karte rahenge, injured chahe aap 10 baar ho jaye. (The first thing I feel is that the hunger to play for the country should never end. If you have that hunger, you will always fight back, even if you get injured 10 times.)”
Life without cricket feels incomplete: Mohammed Shami
The experienced bowler added, “Mere dimaag mein hamesha yehi rehta hai, mein kitna bhi match khel loon, woh mere liye kam hai, kyunke ek baar agar meine cricket chhoda toh shayad woh dobara na hoga (No matter how many matches I play, it always feels like less. Because once I leave cricket, I may never get this chance again.”
Shami also stressed that the game is everything for a player, and life feels incomplete without it. The Indian pacer also admitted that his life has been very difficult, but playing for the country was enough motivation to keep him going.
He signed off by saying, “I used to look at the India jersey every day during my rehab. Playing for Bengal felt like going back to the early days. It gave me new energy and joy.”
