After not getting picked in India's squad for Asia Cup 2025, veteran pacer Mohammed Shami will be watching Suryakumar Yadav & Co. compete in the tournament from his home. The 34-year-old, who last featured for the Men in Blue in the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, failed to make the cut after not being able to impress for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025.
Despite him not playing in Asia Cup, Shami was asked to give his opinion on the India-Pakistan clash going ahead as planned. It was expected that the teams will not be facing-off against each other because of the political tension that has been there between the two nations this year. It all began with the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April which saw 26 innocent people lose their lives. India then launched Operation Sindoor as a retaliation to the attack.
Shami gave his take on the match and clearly stated that the players just follow the orders of the government and BCCI.
"I stay out of controversies. The government and board decide, and we follow. Playing Pakistan is different because of the fan craze, but for players, it's about performing," Shami told News24.
Shami eager to play domestic cricket
Meanwhile, Shami also broke his silence on the rumours on his retirement and remarked that he is eager to impress the selectors in domestic cricket and make his comeback into the Indian team. He further stated that his only goal now is to help India win the 2027 ODI World Cup.
"If someone has a problem, tell me, if it is like their lives become better if I take retirement. Tell me whose life have I become a rock in that you want me to retire? The day I get bored, I will leave. You don't pick me, but I will keep working hard. You don't pick me in international, I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other. You have to make these decisions when you start feeling bored. That is not the time for me now," Shami stated.
"I only have one dream left, that is to win the ODI World Cup. I want to be a part of that team and perform that wins the ODI World Cup and brings it home. We were very close in 2023. We had a gut feeling, but we also had a fear that we were winning non-stop, and it was the knockout stage. There was some fear. But the enthusiasm and belief of the fans motivated us. This was a dream that could have been fulfilled, but maybe it was not in my luck," he added.
On the other hand, Shami is set to make a comeback to competitive cricket in Duleep Trophy as he will be featuring for the East Zone in their clash against North Zone. The match will be played at BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.