Mohammed Shami is clearly feeling frustrated with all the questions about his fitness and the chance of returning to the Indian cricket team. The fast bowler from Bengal made a strong statement on the first day of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season by taking four wickets against Delhi in Kalyani, and he didn’t hold back when addressing his critics.
When reporters asked him about their doubts regarding his readiness, Shami replied, “You all can see and write. That’s your job, right? You can see my fitness. Just write what you see. I’m on the ground, playing my game wherever I can. My job is to keep bowling.”
In his impressive performance, the 36-year-old bowler took 4 wickets for just 30 runs in 17.3 overs, which included nine maidens. Thanks to his efforts, Bengal managed to bowl out Delhi for 240 runs. Shami got the vital wickets of middle-order batsmen Yash Dhull and Ayush Doseja, along with Hrithik Shokeen, who was the only Delhi player to score a half-century, and finished off the innings by clean bowling Divij Mehra.
Shami bowled more overs than any of Bengal’s other main seamers. Akash Deep bowled 17 overs and took two wickets, while Mukesh Kumar also delivered 17 overs, getting one wicket. Shami’s economy rate of 1.71 was the best among his teammates.
Shami expressed that he doesn’t feel any change in himself, despite others saying he lacks rhythm or fitness. “I don’t care about what people say; I just enjoy playing my game,” he mentioned.
When asked how he continues to trouble batters with his ability to move the ball in both directions, Shami shared his experience. “You need to know when to make the ball move either way. It’s something that comes naturally,” he explained.
Shami’s fitness issues have been a topic of discussion ever since he was repeatedly left out of India’s squads. His last appearance for the national team was in the Champions Trophy final back in March 2025. Following that, he was not selected for various international matches even though he remained active in domestic cricket.
The debate about his fitness peaked in late 2025, when then chief selector Ajit Agarkar pointed out uncertainty regarding Shami’s condition and match readiness. Shami countered that his performances for Bengal showed he was fit to play. In May 2026, Agarkar stated that there had been no discussions about bringing Shami back to Test cricket, claiming that based on the selectors’ information, he was only fit for T20 formats at that time.
Agarkar’s time as chief selector ended earlier this month, but questions about Shami’s future with the national team still linger. Meanwhile, Shami continues to prove his skills on the field.
Last season, he took 37 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal, averaging 16.72 and achieving three five-wicket hauls. His latest performance only highlights his worth to the team, even as a call-up from India remains uncertain.
As for Shami, his message is clear: he is playing and enjoying cricket. Whether that will be enough for a return to the Indian team is still up in the air.
– Ends
