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Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has reiterated his determination to earn a recall to the national team after being omitted from the squad for the upcoming multi-format series against New Zealand. The 36-year-old, who has battled persistent leg injuries throughout his later career, spoke to reporters following domestic action and emphasized the importance of maintaining goals at every level of the sport. According to a Reuters report, Shami last featured for India in March 2025 during their Champions Trophy campaign, where he was joint-highest wicket-taker.
Shami told the media that hope should always be present in any career. “In any profession, you shouldn’t leave hope. You should always have a goal,” he said. He compared it to playing in the Ranji Trophy with the objective of winning the title for the state and confirmed that he holds the goal of an India comeback.
The pacer dismissed any concerns about his fitness, stating “I am still at my peak” and inviting observers to see his recent training sessions. He explained that his exclusion from Bengal’s match against Services was due to the pitch suiting spinners rather than any physical shortcomings. Shami has been focusing on a full domestic season to build momentum and sharpen his skills.
In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Shami took 37 wickets in seven matches for Bengal at an average of 16.72, according to a Rediff Cricket dispatch. He also contributed with seven wickets in three Duleep Trophy games in 2026, helping his side secure the title. These performances have kept his hopes alive for a national team return ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Throughout his career, the veteran has captured 462 wickets in 197 international appearances across all formats. Shami emerged as the leading wicket-taker during India’s victorious 2023 ODI World Cup campaign on home soil. However, he looks unlikely to be part of the squad for the next edition of the tournament next year.
Shami said he is not thinking too far ahead about the World Cup and is instead concentrating on his fitness and skill development in domestic cricket. “I don’t think that far ahead. You never know what will happen in life,” he said. His contemporary Bhuvneshwar Kumar has recently returned to the India setup after a four-year absence at the same age, highlighting the potential for comebacks. The comments arrive as questions persist over India’s bowling resources in limited-overs formats.
