'Ek baar agar meine cricket chhoda to...': Mohammed Shami's big statement ahead of India vs England T20I series

India's pace maestro Mohammed Shami is set to make his much-awaited return to international cricket after a long injury layoff of 14 months due to a series of injuries, including heel surgery, a side strain, and knee issues. He will feature in the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, starting from January 22 in Kolkata.

All eyes on comeback man, Mohammed Shami

Shami's last appearance for India was in the World Cup 2023 final. While he was initially expected to return during the Indian Test season, complications with his knee delayed his comeback. However, the Bengal pacer diligently worked towards his recovery, representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy to prove his fitness.   

Shami is now poised to roll his arms in the T20I series against England. Notably, he has also been included in the squad for the subsequent three-match ODI series and the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

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However, the team management will closely monitor his fitness throughout the ODI series to assess his full recovery and readiness for the upcoming challenges.

The team management will closely monitor Shami's physical performance over the next two weeks. While it is unlikely he will feature in all five T20Is against England, his performance in the upcoming ODIs will be crucial for India's preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shami's primary focus during this period will be on regaining full fitness and ensuring his long-term availability for the tournament.

Ahead of his return in the first T20I in Kolkata, Mohammed Shami spoke openly about his journey back to international cricket. He revealed that his unwavering passion and love for representing India served as the driving force throughout his lengthy recovery. Recognising that his time with the Indian cricket team is finite, Shami is determined to make the most of every opportunity to play before retiring from the game.

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Shami feels that the hunger to play for the country should never end. He also said that if one has the hunger to play for the nation, he will always fight back even if he gets injured 10 times.

Hunger to play for the country should never end: Mohammed Shami

 

“Country ke liye jo khelne ki bhoonkh hai woh kabhi khatam nahin honi chahiye. Apko agar usse pyar hai toh aap hamesha fightback karte rahenge, injured chahe aap 10 baar ho jaye. (The first thing I feel is that the hunger to play for the country should never end. If you have that hunger, you will always fight back, even if you get injured 10 times.),” Shami said at an event hosted by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

“Mere dimaag mein hamesha yehi rehta hai, mein kitna bhi match khel loon, woh mere liye kam hai, kyunke ek baar agar meine cricket chhoda toh shayad woh dobara na hoga (No matter how many matches I play, it always feels like less. Because once I leave cricket, I may never get this chance again,” he concluded.

England's playing XI for 1st T20I against India

Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (WK), Jos Buttler (C), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

India's T20I squad for England series:

Suryakumar Yadav (c), Axar Patel (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya , Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel (wk).