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The national team selectors again overlooked Mohammed Shami in the selection for the upcoming New Zealand series. The selectors backed Bhuvneshwar Kumar but did not call up Shami for the tour.
It seems like the doors to make a return to the national cricket team are closed now for Shami. After remaining more than a year out of the Indian cricket team, should Shami consider his retirement?
Mohammed Shami opens up about his retirement plans
Speaking on a SportsTak video, Shami opened up about his retirement plans. He is now 36; at this age, many cricketers decide to hang up their boots. But Shami has different thoughts; he is still enjoying the game and his daily routine surrounding cricket.
Shami made it clear that he has no thought of retirement as of now. He expressed that he loves to wake up early in the morning to get ready for training. Despite not having opportunities to represent the national team again, he lacks no motivation. As he still has motivation, Mohammed Shami wants to continue playing.
There is still time: Mohammed Shami on his retirement
The experienced fast bowler also claimed that when he feels there is no motivation left for him and he is not enjoying the daily routine, it will be the day when Mohammed Shami will announce his retirement. But currently, he has no such plans.
"Look, I have already said this before. The day I get bored waking up at 7 or 6 in the morning, I will say thank you to myself. But right now, I don't feel bored. I am getting motivated. So, according to me, I should play now. There is still time because I personally, as a sportsman, believe that if you have to go to the ground at 6.30 in the morning for 5-4 days and you feel bored or tired, then I think it is time for you to think about retirement. But I don't think there is a problem with waking up at 6.30 in the morning. Even today, Ionas is on the ground at 7.30," said Shami.
MOHAMMED SHAMI On Retirement: जिस दिन मन नहीं करेगा, संन्यास ले लूंगा, अभी तो मजा आ रहा है | @rawatrahul9 @MdShami11 #MohammedShami #MohammedShamiExclusive #ShamiInterview #RahulRawat #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #ShamiComeback #AjitAgarkar #BCCI #DomesticCricket https://t.co/a82rMJWJew
— Sports Tak (@sports_tak) October 20, 2026
Mohammed Shami continues to deliver well in domestic cricket
Shami recently claimed a 5-fer for Bengal in the first round of the ongoing 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season. Against Delhi, the pacer took four wickets in the first innings and one wicket in the second to finish the match. Bengal won the match against Delhi by 9 wickets at Kalyani.
In his last few domestic matches, the pacer maintained his status as a regular wicket-taker for his respective teams. Before taking five wickets for Bengal against Delhi, Shami got a brace in the Duleep Trophy final for East Zone and five wickets for them in the semi-finals.
If he continues to perform well in the ongoing Ranji Trophy as well, then it will become very challenging for the selectors to ignore Mohammed Shami for the series ahead. After the departure of Ajit Agarkar as chief selector, it will be interesting to see the next chief selector's point of view on Shami.
