Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has demonstrated his willingness to return with outstanding performances in the season’s first two Ranji Trophy matches, said he is “fit” and “ready” for an India comeback.
With a furious spell that saw him take eight wickets and lead his team to a 141-run victory over Gujarat at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, the Bengal quick made a compelling case for an international comeback.
“A lot of hard work is there and I believe luck too plays a part. Every person wants to play for the country. So, I am ready for that (again),” Shami told reporters after his five-wicket haul in Gujarat’s second innings.
“My motivation is to stay fit and be available for the Indian team at all times. I will continue to perform and the rest is on the selectors’ hands.”
“It’s a relief. Mentally, physically, it feels very good, because, you are coming back from such a difficult time (injury), and you stay on the ground after that,” he added.
“After that, all the things… Ranji Trophy, domestic season, white-ball cricket, then IPL, Champions Trophy, then Duleep Trophy, and now these two matches. So, the rhythm, the flow was there. Now it feels like cricket is still there (left in me).”
Bengal defeated Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy for the first time since 2003 because of Shami’s outstanding final-day performance.
Following Shami’s exclusion from the Indian team for the white-ball tour of Australia, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the senior cricketer engaged in a public back-and-forth.
However, the pacer has emphasized that he is available for all formats of the game and is totally fit following ankle surgery.
He chose to avoid controversy when asked about India’s comeback on Tuesday.
“I’m always involved in some controversy, thanks to you guys (laughs). It’s a misunderstanding…,” he said.
Shami expressed gratitude to the Bengal team management for their help throughout a trying time and now that he is returning from a protracted absence.
“I played a match against MP 11 months ago, and I am playing this match now. I feel good, but the important thing is that your team is with you at this time, when you are competing.”
Shami added that because he thinks the Bengal pace attack is among the greatest in Indian domestic cricket, he has urged the curators to set up a green top at Eden Gardens.
“I had said earlier that we need a green top, because we have four pacers, one of the best in domestic cricket. If you can raise your voice, if you can say that it is better, because we have the opportunity, we have the ability to get six points, seven points if we are playing on green tops.”
Laxmi Ratan Shukla, the head coach of Bengal, supported Shami’s return to the Indian squad.
“Mohammed Shami doesn’t need certificate from anyone. He has the backing of his fans, media and the biggest selector of them all, who is right up there (God),” Shukla said.
