New Delhi: Mohammed Shami said talent and consistent performances should not go unrewarded for too long, as he reacted to fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian team after four years.
has been picked in India’s T20I squad for their upcoming series against New Zealand.
The 36-year-old last played for India in the T20 World Cup 2022 and has been rewarded for his consistent performances for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the last two seasons. Like Bhuvneshwar, Shami has also been harbouring hopes of his India comeback.
The senior pacer last played for India in the Champions Trophy last year and has since been sidelined due to fitness issues. Shami has failed to make his comeback for the national team despite performing consistently in the domestic circuit.
Shami picked up four wickets as Bengal bundled out Delhi for 240 runs on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani on Sunday. Reacting to Bhuvneshwar’s India recall, Shami said he was happy for the 36-year-old.
“A person should keep going on hope alone. Look at the skill he has. It’s not as if he hasn’t been talking to anyone or anything like that. That doesn’t mean you should keep a talent out for a long time. I’m happy for him because this has come after such a long time,” Shami was quoted as saying by Revsportz.
Everyone deserves a chance to perform: Shami
Shami said everyone deserves a chance to perform and get a chance at reclaiming their lost spot in the national side if they are doing well consistently. Bhuvneshwar has been among the best bowlers in the IPL over the last two seasons, picking up 45 wickets to play a key role in RCB’s back-to-back title triumphs.
“He (Bhuvneshwar) has also delivered performances consistently in the IPL. If someone is working hard, showing their skill and has the potential, why shouldn’t they be playing? Everyone deserves a chance to perform,” said Shami.
Shami’s fitness issues have often been cited as the reason behind his sidelining from the Indian team. However, the 36-year-old has looked in fine rhythm for Bengal in the domestic circuit over the last few months and has been consistently among the wickets. Shami said the outside noise doesn’t bother him as he left it on the selectors to decide whether he deserves his India comeback.