Mohammed Shami has underscored the importance of loyalty in his cricketing journey. The India fast bowler, whose international future remains uncertain, has made it unequivocally clear that Bengal will always hold a special place in his career.
Speaking after Bengal’s Ranji Trophy victory over Services, Shami credited the state team for establishing his reputation and declared his intention to conclude his playing days with the side.
“As far as Bengal cricket is concerned, this is the team that has given me a name,” Shami said following the win. “And whenever I end my career, it will be with this team.”
Shami also emphasized that loyalty and hard work outweigh the stature of any competition for him.
Shami explains why domestic cricket matters
Shami’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny over his fitness and the lack of an international recall. The pacer last featured for India in March 2025 during the Champions Trophy, where he claimed nine wickets. Since then, he has continued to turn out in domestic cricket and the IPL while awaiting another opportunity at the highest level.
For Shami, however, domestic cricket is not merely a pathway back to the national setup. He views it as the ideal platform for players to find rhythm, refine their skills, and test themselves against quality opposition.
“I don’t know what will happen or what won’t. But there can’t be anything better for any player than the fact that the domestic season has started,” he said.
He urged both senior and junior players to seize the competition, arguing that everyone available should aim to make life difficult for the opposition.
Why Shami did not play against Services
Shami’s omission from Bengal’s playing XI against Services also drew attention, particularly with questions raised about his workload management. He clarified that the decision was driven by pitch conditions, which favored spinners and offered little reason to deploy a senior fast bowler.
Rather than seeing the match as a missed opportunity, Shami viewed it as a chance for younger bowlers to gain valuable experience.
He also dismissed the notion that outsiders could dictate whether he needed to bowl longer spells, insisting that workload depends on match situations, pitch conditions, and the captain’s assessment.