Even at 36, Mohammed Shami stands out with his skill set and hard work to underline his worth.
Having started his Ranji Trophy season well with a four-wicket haul for Bengal in its outing against Delhi at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground here on Sunday, Shami said he did not feel any difference in his ‘inbuilt skill.’
“You should have the smartness to know when to make the ball move in and out. I don’t feel any change (about my performance). People express their opinions, such as I don’t have the rhythm and fitness. I don’t care about all this, and I enjoy my game,” said Shami, leading the Bengal attack, also comprising international pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar.
Shami parried a question on whether he had contacted the National selectors, but spoke about his fitness. “You people (reporters) can see and write. I am inside the ground and am playing,” said Shami, while expressing his happiness over fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s India selection after four years.
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On Bengal’s ongoing match, Shami reiterated his demand that the home team should get a favourable track instead of a slow one. “We wanted a helpful pitch. No other team has such a fast bowling attack in India. We have requested many times. I don’t think there is a response.
“It was humid. You have to work smartly. When you don’t get help from the pitch, I don’t think there’s any smartness in putting in long spells and finishing one’s energy. I had planned for everyone,” said Shami.
Published on Oct 11, 2026
