‘How can I enjoy life if I can’t pick up the ball?’: Mohammed Shami makes emotional statement ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 squad announcement

India’s veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is raring to make a comeback to international cricket. Shami who has been playing domestic cricket regularly and waiting for a green light from BCCI medical team is motivating himself by looking at the India jersey every day during his rehabilitation.

“Everything is possible if the superior (God) wants. For a player, the game is everything. Without it, life feels incomplete. How can I enjoy life if I can’t pick up the ball? Life has been very difficult, that much I can say. Playing for the country is motivation enough. I used to look at the India jersey every day during my rehab,” Shami told Anand Bazaar Patrika.

“Playing for Bengal felt like going back to the early days. It gave me new energy and joy.”

Shami is hopeful of making a comeback to the international arena. The squad for the limited-overs series at home against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is yet to be announced. The veteran pacer played his last ODI in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia where he finished as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

Shami in his comeback match after recovering from ankle surgery played a Ranji Trophy match last year. Then, he played in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He played three matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and bagged five wickets. He took three wickets in the losing cause against Haryana in preliminary quarter final. He contributed with the bat against Madhya Pradesh with an unbeaten 42.

Shastri, Ponting baffled by the Shami decision

Recently, former India head coach Ravi Shastri said that he would have taken Shami to Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

“To be honest, I was very surprised with the communication going on in the media as to what exactly happened to Mohammed Shami. Where is he when it comes to recovery? He’s been sitting in the NCA for I don’t know how long. Why can’t proper communication come out on where he stands? A player of his ability, I would have brought him to Australia,” Shastri told ICC.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting agreed with Shastri and went on to say that he would have changed his prediction had Shami been there to support Jasprit Bumrah in Australia.