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Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla believes that Mohammed Shami deserves to be called back to the national team after his stellar bowling performance in Ranji Trophy. Notably, Shami has racked up a total of 15 scalps in Bengal's opening two matches of the tournament and has played a key role in the side winning both the games. The 35-year-old hasn't made any appearance for India since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final and has repeatedly been snubbed from assignments in every format.
Following the conclusion of Bengal's match against Gujarat, Shukla backed Shami to make his return to the Indian team and remarked that the fans and media want him to make his much-awaited comeback to international cricket.
“Mohammed Shami doesn’t need certificate from anyone. He is a certificate in himself. He has the backing of his fans, media and the biggest selector of them all, who is right up there (God),” Shukla said as per PTI.
Shami wants to make India comeback
Shami also feels that he is ready to play for India again and said that he wants to remain fit and available for the team at all times. With the Men in Blue's two-match Test series against South Africa coming up, the 35-year-old will be hoping to make the cut into the squad on the basis of impressive perfformances on the domestic circuit.
“A lot of hard work is there and I believe luck too plays a part. Every person wants to play for the country. So, I am ready for that (again),” Shami told reporters after the match.
“My motivation is to stay fit and be available for the Indian team at all times. In the ground, I will continue to perform and the rest is on the selectors’ hands,” he added.
Shami asked curators to make green pitches
Shami also revealed that he had asked the curator at the Eden Gardens to prepare green pitches so that the pacers are able to take the full advantage of the conditions.
"I had said earlier that we need a green top, because we have four pacers, one of the best in domestic cricket. If you can raise your voice, if you can say that it is better, because we have the opportunity, we have the ability to get six points, seven points if we are playing on green tops,” Shami stated.
Meanwhile, Bengal's next match in the Ranji Trophy will be against Tripura and will commence from November 1. Abhimanyu Easwaran & Co. will be looking to maintain their unbeaten run in the tournament and make it three wins from as many games.
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