Discarded Indian pacer Mohammed Shami doesn’t want to give up his India hopes, stating that he is still at his peak. Notably, his comments came after Bengal’s win over Services in Palam on Tuesday, October 20.
He questioned how outsiders could determine the length of his bowling spells, emphasising that his workload depends on the team’s requirements. Speaking to reporters, he explained that bowling plans cannot be fixed in advance, particularly on a pitch where conditions dictate the approach.
“How can anyone else from the outside decide whether I bowl long spells or not? That is dependent on the demands of the team. It is not like I will keep bowling over after over,” Shami told reporters after Bengal’s win over Services in Palam on Tuesday.
“On a wicket like this, for example, how can it be planned that a fast bowler will bowl five or ten overs? If it is uncomfortable for a batter, the fast bowler will bowl. If we think a spinner will get the wickets, he will bowl obviously. This thing depends entirely on the game situation and pitch conditions. That is the captain’s call.”
“By the way, I have bowled for one-and-a-half hours today. There was no issue.”
“I am still at my peak. There is no point beating around the bush. However I am, I am at my peak.”
Shami’s priority is to get as much game time as possible in upcoming tournaments, as opportunities can arise unexpectedly. He added that playing domestic cricket would also help him prepare for the IPL by maintaining his rhythm.
“It was not about disappointment. I played all the matches last season as well. My motive is that I play as much as I can in the upcoming tournaments. Nobody knows when anybody would be needed,” he said.
“For me, it is good even for IPL preparation if I keep playing domestic cricket. As long as I play a lot of matches, my rhythm will be good. If I am with the team, the atmosphere will be good. These are the things that I try to do.”
“I can’t praise myself. This is something that you all will have to be asked,” he said.
