Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami remains hopeful and determined to earn an India recall despite not being picked since the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 36-year-old has been actively participating in all three formats of domestic cricket in a bid to stay match-ready.
Shami claimed seven wickets in the Duleep Trophy and finished on the winning side as East Zone lifted the title. However, he was overlooked for the Rest of India (RoI) squad for the Irani Trophy clash against reigning Ranji Trophy champions Jammu & Kashmir. The right-arm pacer also picked up five wickets in Bengal’s opening-round Ranji Trophy fixture against Delhi in Kalyani.
“Why would I give up hope? Hope should always be there,” Shami told Cricinfo following Bengal’s win over Services in the second round of the Ranji Trophy.
“In any profession, you should never lose hope. You should always have a goal. If we are playing in the Ranji Trophy, it is to win the title for the state, right? Goals should always be there. I won’t deny that I have that goal.”
Shami was not included in either of India’s squads for the multi-format tour of New Zealand, but the experienced quick believes that as long as he continues to play regularly, another opportunity with the national team could come his way.
“It wasn’t about disappointment. I played all the matches last season as well. My aim is to play as much cricket as possible in the upcoming tournaments,” Shami said.
“Nobody knows when they might be needed. For me, it is also good preparation for the IPL if I keep playing domestic cricket. As long as I play plenty of matches, my rhythm will remain good. If I am with the team, the atmosphere will be good. These are the things I try to focus on.”
Shami has not represented India since the Champions Trophy final, but his performances in domestic cricket underline his determination to stay in contention for a national comeback.