- Shami: “I’m still at my peak, why should I give up all hope of playing for India? Despite not being picked for the upcoming New Zealand tour, Shami insisted that he is in top form and bowling at good pace. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling all of them after they fired Pat.” Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Shane Warne Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test, day one, at the WACA, Perth, Thursday 20 November 1997 Faf du Plessis on the words of support he gave Steven Smith after the ball-tampering charge was revealed in 2018. NZ vs India 2nd T20I – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi comes on as a substitute for New Zealand and India prepare for another brawl. Dew is likely to play a big role again in Christchurch and the team that wins the toss will prefer to chase Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to open the second match, New Zealand vs India, 1st T20I, Christchurch, October 22, 2026. India’s batting coach is excited about Naman Dhir’s potential and says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is learning a lot even if he doesn’t play. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sits on, New Zealand v India, 1st T20I, Christchurch, October 22, 2026 When batting with white balls, it’s less about where the head or feet are and more about what the hands are doing. India v Zimbabwe, 1st ODI, Vadodara, October 23, 2026 NZ A v Ind A – Rhys Mariu, Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister, Mitch Hay in star-studded New Zealand A squad The New Zealand A squad consists of 19 players, but the players are rotated – 13 are available for each of the three four-day rounds, the rest are released for the Ford Trophy, the Rhys Mariu on his international debut drives, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Hamilton, ril 2, 2025. Shikhar Mohan will replace KL Rahul, who will only play the first four-day match before joining the Indian ODI team, scores a half-century during Jharkhand, Vidarbha vs Jharkhand, Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Day 1, Nagpur, October 25, 2025. Rashid Khan ended with 3 for 41, Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Tri-Series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 A concussion, a problematic neck and low scores – Steven Smith will want to change the situation at Newlands, where the Sandpergate scandal was. Steven Smith’s neck required medical attention after surviving a close game in the 27th over, South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Australia have lost two of their last four Tests, by narrow margins, and the lack of partnerships – or more than one batsman standing at any point – has hurt them the most. Travis Head batted for Australia after their follow-up match, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Simon Harmer celebrates a wicket, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Marnus Labuschagne returns, his Test career hanging in the balance, South Africa v Australia. 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, 21 October 2026 South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test – Through rain, nerves and late drama, the hosts have rediscovered their champion spirit, turning adversity into opportunity and faith into a series-reviving win 5, 22 October 2026 SA v Australia, 2nd Test 2026-27 – Pat Cummins – Australia comply battered innings not ‘over the cracks’ Australia must seriously consider changes to its batting line-up for crucial Test in Ce Town Steven Smith was out and pulled Kagiso Rabada, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 5, October 22, 2026 Rabada’s spirit, Jansen’s performance and Bavuma’s own runs ensured a strong response from the WTC champions after they fell in Durban last week. Temba Bavuma kept it all in and then let it all out as he reached three figures, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 3, October 20, 2026. Janith Liyanage celebrates with her teammates after hitting a six on the penultimate ball to win the game. Janith Liyanage celebrates with her teammates after hitting a six off the penultimate ball to win the game, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Harry Brook put himself in illustrious company at Pindi – but the only statistic that mattered was his team’s defeat. Will Jacks congratulates Harry Brook on his double century, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Sri Lanka celebrates victory after chasing 430, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Mohammed Shami played his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup Final, India v England, 1st ODI, Nagpur, February 6, 2025, Mohammed Shami may not have been selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand but the Indian fast bowler has not given up hope of an international comeback and insists he is still at his peak, in top form and bowling at good pace.
- “Why will I leave hope?
- Hope must always be there,” Shami said after the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Services.
Shami: “I’m still at my peak, why should I give up all hope of playing for India? Despite not being picked for the upcoming New Zealand tour, Shami insisted that he is in top form and bowling at good pace. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all smiling all of them after they fired Pat.” Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Shane Warne Australia v New Zealand 2nd Test, day one, at the WACA, Perth, Thursday 20 November 1997 Faf du Plessis on the words of support he gave Steven Smith after the ball-tampering charge was revealed in 2018. NZ vs India 2nd T20I – Vaibhav Sooryavanshi comes on as a substitute for New Zealand and India prepare for another brawl. Dew is likely to play a big role again in Christchurch and the team that wins the toss will prefer to chase Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to open the second match, New Zealand vs India, 1st T20I, Christchurch, October 22, 2026. India’s batting coach is excited about Naman Dhir’s potential and says Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is learning a lot even if he doesn’t play. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi sits on, New Zealand v India, 1st T20I, Christchurch, October 22, 2026 When batting with white balls, it’s less about where the head or feet are and more about what the hands are doing. India v Zimbabwe, 1st ODI, Vadodara, October 23, 2026 NZ A v Ind A – Rhys Mariu, Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister, Mitch Hay in star-studded New Zealand A squad The New Zealand A squad consists of 19 players, but the players are rotated – 13 are available for each of the three four-day rounds, the rest are released for the Ford Trophy, the Rhys Mariu on his international debut drives, New Zealand vs Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Hamilton, ril 2, 2025. Shikhar Mohan will replace KL Rahul, who will only play the first four-day match before joining the Indian ODI team, scores a half-century during Jharkhand, Vidarbha vs Jharkhand, Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Day 1, Nagpur, October 25, 2025. Rashid Khan ended with 3 for 41, Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Tri-Series final, Sharjah, October 23, 2026 A concussion, a problematic neck and low scores – Steven Smith will want to change the situation at Newlands, where the Sandpergate scandal was. Steven Smith’s neck required medical attention after surviving a close game in the 27th over, South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Australia have lost two of their last four Tests, by narrow margins, and the lack of partnerships – or more than one batsman standing at any point – has hurt them the most. Travis Head batted for Australia after their follow-up match, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Simon Harmer celebrates a wicket, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Marnus Labuschagne returns, his Test career hanging in the balance, South Africa v Australia. 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, 21 October 2026 South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test – Through rain, nerves and late drama, the hosts have rediscovered their champion spirit, turning adversity into opportunity and faith into a series-reviving win 5, 22 October 2026 SA v Australia, 2nd Test 2026-27 – Pat Cummins – Australia comply battered innings not ‘over the cracks’ Australia must seriously consider changes to its batting line-up for crucial Test in Ce Town Steven Smith was out and pulled Kagiso Rabada, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 5, October 22, 2026 Rabada’s spirit, Jansen’s performance and Bavuma’s own runs ensured a strong response from the WTC champions after they fell in Durban last week. Temba Bavuma kept it all in and then let it all out as he reached three figures, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 3, October 20, 2026. Janith Liyanage celebrates with her teammates after hitting a six on the penultimate ball to win the game. Janith Liyanage celebrates with her teammates after hitting a six off the penultimate ball to win the game, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Harry Brook put himself in illustrious company at Pindi – but the only statistic that mattered was his team’s defeat. Will Jacks congratulates Harry Brook on his double century, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Sri Lanka celebrates victory after chasing 430, England v Sri Lanka, Tri-Series, October 22, 2026 Mohammed Shami played his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup Final, India v England, 1st ODI, Nagpur, February 6, 2025, Mohammed Shami may not have been selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand but the Indian fast bowler has not given up hope of an international comeback and insists he is still at his peak, in top form and bowling at good pace.
“Why will I leave hope? Hope must always be there,” Shami said after the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Services. “In any profession you can’t lose hope.
You should always have a goal. When we play for the Ranji Trophy, it’s about winning the title for the state, right? Goals should always be there.
I don’t deny having that goal.” Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy in March 2025, where he was India’s leading wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakaravarthy with nine wickets. He has since played domestic cricket in all three formats as well as the IPL, but selection seems to have passed him by. Following the selection of Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour, hopes were raised that the Indian selection committee, under its new chairman, might consider Shami’s name.
However, when the Test and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour were announced last Friday, Shami’s name was again missing. “It wasn’t about dispointment. I also played all the games from last season.
My motivation is to play as much as possible in the upcoming tournaments,” he said. “Nobody knows when someone is needed. For me, it will also be good for IPL preparation if I continue playing domestic cricket.
As long as I play a lot of games, my rhythm will be good. When I’m in the team, the atmosphere will be good. Those are the things I try to do.” At the start of India’s domestic season, Shami played in all three Duleep Trophy matches and took a total of seven wickets, including five wickets in the semi-final.
However, he was not included in the Rest of India squad for the subsequent Irani Cup. He took a total of five wickets against Delhi during the first round of the Ranji Trophy, including four wickets in the first innings, but he did not take the field for Bengal’s second Ranji Trophy game against Services. “How can someone else from the outside decide whether I play long or not?
It depends on the needs of the team. It’s not like I’m going to continue playing after the fact. For example, on a wicket like this, how can one predict that a fast bowler will bowl five or ten overs?
It depends entirely on the game situation and the field conditions. “However, the reason for this was not his physical fitness; rather, Shami wanted to give other young bowlers a chance on a spin-friendly pitch. During the match, which lasted three days, Shami was constantly seen practicing with the bat and ball on the nets next to the ground. Responding to questions about his fitness, Shami said, “I am still at the peak of my career.
You can all see for yourself, I trained today and yesterday too. We could see the state of the country, right? There was no point in playing on that wicket for two to four overs.
It was better for young people to be able to walk. The more they play, the more experience they will gain. My motivation is that I play when the team needs me.
I don’t think it’s really necessary here. Of course I can’t play as a batsman. “How can someone else from the outside decide whether I play long or not?
It depends on the needs of the team. It’s not like I’m going to continue playing after the fact. For example, on a wicket like this, how can one predict that a fast bowler will bowl five or ten overs?
If a batter is uncomfortable, the fast bowler plays. If we think a spinner will get the wickets, he will obviously bowl. It depends entirely on the game situation and the field conditions.
It’s the clan’s decision.” Shami also said he had no contact with the selectors or selection committee under the new president because he was not part of the team. However, he expressed excitement over the return of Bhuvneshwar, who is making his comeback to international cricket after almost four years. “Going by Bhuvneshwar’s performance, his selection should have hpened much earlier,” Shami said.
Mohammed Shami had a good rhythm, East Zone vs South Zone, Duleep Trophy Final, Day 3, Chennai, September 8, 2026 “I don’t know what will hpen and what won’t. But there is nothing better for a player than the start of the domestic season. It is the best platform for every gamer to get into the rhythm.
Whoever is available, senior or junior, should try to make the competition difficult for the opposition (in domestic cricket). “As far as Bengal cricket is concerned, this is the team that gave me a name. All of these cameras and all of these questions that I’m trying to answer wrong are thanks to this team.
And every time I end my career, I will do it with this team. The stadium or the level doesn’t matter. You have to be loyal and work hard, which is what I do.
Only that it is in my control. The rest isn’t in my control. Just keep playing, that’s my thought.” When Shami was asked again how he envisions his career from here and whether he has his eyes on the 2027 ODI World Cup, he remained evasive.
“I don’t think that far ahead. You never know what will hpen in life. You don’t know who is scoring runs or taking wickets.
There’s no point in thinking so far ahead. Just keep playing the matches. Just keep improving.
I always say that I need to focus on my skills and fitness. I don’t want to take on the burden of thinking far into the future. For now I will be playing domestic cricket.
There is enough time (for the 2027 ODI World Cup) and right now I am enjoying playing domestic cricket. “Although he was not selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, Shami insisted that he is in great form and bowling with good pace. Mohammed Shami played his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup Final, India vs England, 1st ODI, Nagpur, February 6, 2025. Although he was not selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, Shami insisted that he is in great form and bowling with good pace. Although he was not selected for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, insisted Shami ensures that he is in top form and plays at a good pace.
