Mohammed Shami remains determined to fight his way back into the Indian team, insisting that he is still at the peak of his fitness despite being overlooked for the upcoming all-format tour of New Zealand.
The 36-year-old fast bowler, who last represented India in March 2025, has been left out of the squad for the New Zealand tour even as questions continue over the team's bowling resources, particularly in the shorter formats. Meanwhile, his contemporary Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the national side after a gap of nearly four years.
Speaking to reporters after Bengal's Ranji Trophy victory over Services, Shami made it clear that the prospect of playing for India again continues to motivate him. He also stressed that he remains committed to domestic cricket and has no intention of abandoning his ambitions.
"Hope should always be there (for India comeback). In any profession, in any sport, you should have a goal. Everyone has a goal. Today we are playing for Ranji Trophy and playing for the title. There is always a goal and there should be a goal," Shami said.
When a reporter referred to the period when he was at the peak of his fitness, the pacer was quick to challenge the suggestion that those days were behind him.
"Sir, aaj bhi hum peak par hi hain (I am still at my peak). There is no point in lying. Ham jaise bhi hain apne peak par hain (I am very much at my peak)," said Shami, who did not feature against Services because of the conditions.
"It's not a matter of disappointment. I played the whole domestic season last year as well. I played all the matches. My motive is the same. I should play as much as I can. I should be prepared for all the upcoming series and tournaments.
"Nobody knows when and where I will have to play for India. Even for IPL, playing domestic cricket will be good for me. If I play domestic or white ball, my preparation will be the same. I will play as many matches as I can. My rhythm will be good."
The fast bowler also played down the need to look too far ahead towards next year's ODI World Cup in South Africa, saying his immediate priority was to keep improving.
"I don't think so far. Today we are playing cricket. Tomorrow we don't know what will happen to someone or what the situation will be. There is no point in thinking so far.
"Whatever matches you are getting, you keep playing and keep improving yourself. I always say that your focus should be on your skill, your fitness," he said.
“Sir, I am not in the Indian team, who will talk to me? And why will they talk to me?" he said.
While Shami remains outside the national setup, he welcomed Bhuvneshwar's return, suggesting that the veteran seamer's form warranted an earlier recall.
Shami also reiterated his strong connection with Bengal, crediting the team for the career he has built and vowing to remain committed to the side.
"This team has given me this name. This is all because of this team. The day I end my career, it will be with this team. You should be loyal, you should be dedicated. Nothing else is in your hands," he said.
The 36-year-old fast bowler, who last represented India in March 2025, has been left out of the squad for the New Zealand tour even as questions continue over the team's bowling resources, particularly in the shorter formats. Meanwhile, his contemporary Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the national side after a gap of nearly four years.
Speaking to reporters after Bengal's Ranji Trophy victory over Services, Shami made it clear that the prospect of playing for India again continues to motivate him. He also stressed that he remains committed to domestic cricket and has no intention of abandoning his ambitions.
"Hope should always be there (for India comeback). In any profession, in any sport, you should have a goal. Everyone has a goal. Today we are playing for Ranji Trophy and playing for the title. There is always a goal and there should be a goal," Shami said.
When a reporter referred to the period when he was at the peak of his fitness, the pacer was quick to challenge the suggestion that those days were behind him.
"Sir, aaj bhi hum peak par hi hain (I am still at my peak). There is no point in lying. Ham jaise bhi hain apne peak par hain (I am very much at my peak)," said Shami, who did not feature against Services because of the conditions.
‘Nobody knows when and where I will have to play for India’
Shami insisted that missing out on the New Zealand tour had not left him disappointed. Instead, his focus remains on playing regularly, maintaining his rhythm and staying ready for whatever opportunities come his way."It's not a matter of disappointment. I played the whole domestic season last year as well. I played all the matches. My motive is the same. I should play as much as I can. I should be prepared for all the upcoming series and tournaments.
"Nobody knows when and where I will have to play for India. Even for IPL, playing domestic cricket will be good for me. If I play domestic or white ball, my preparation will be the same. I will play as many matches as I can. My rhythm will be good."
The fast bowler also played down the need to look too far ahead towards next year's ODI World Cup in South Africa, saying his immediate priority was to keep improving.
"I don't think so far. Today we are playing cricket. Tomorrow we don't know what will happen to someone or what the situation will be. There is no point in thinking so far.
"Whatever matches you are getting, you keep playing and keep improving yourself. I always say that your focus should be on your skill, your fitness," he said.
Shami's blunt response on communication with selectors
Asked whether he had spoken to the national selectors over the past year, Shami responded with a pointed question of his own, highlighting his absence from the Indian team.“Sir, I am not in the Indian team, who will talk to me? And why will they talk to me?" he said.
While Shami remains outside the national setup, he welcomed Bhuvneshwar's return, suggesting that the veteran seamer's form warranted an earlier recall.
Shami also reiterated his strong connection with Bengal, crediting the team for the career he has built and vowing to remain committed to the side.
"This team has given me this name. This is all because of this team. The day I end my career, it will be with this team. You should be loyal, you should be dedicated. Nothing else is in your hands," he said.