Shami happy to see Bhuvneshwar back in the India team after four-wicket Ranji start
Mohammed Shami took a four-wicket haul for Bengal against Delhi at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Sunday in the Ranji Trophy and said he was happy to see Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in the India team. He dismissed concerns about his form, saying, "I don’t feel any change (about my performance)."
At 36, Shami credited his skill-set and hard work after beginning his Ranji season with a four-wicket performance, and he is leading a Bengal attack that also includes international pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar. When asked whether he had contacted the national selectors, he deflected and addressed his fitness directly: "You people (reporters) can see and write. I am inside the ground and am playing," said Shami.
Shami outlined his view on seam bowling and control, saying, "You should have the smartness to know when to make the ball move in and out. I don’t feel any change (about my performance). People express their opinions, such as I don’t have the rhythm and fitness. I don’t care about all this and I enjoy my game," said Shami.
He commented on fellow pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s selection for India after a four-year absence, expressing happiness at his return to the national side. The article records his satisfaction at Bhuvneshwar’s inclusion without further elaboration on selectors' decisions.
On conditions for Bengal’s ongoing match, Shami pressed for a more helpful surface, saying, "We wanted a helpful pitch. No other team has such a fast bowling attack in India. We have requested many times. I don’t think there is a response." He added, "It was humid. You have to work smartly. When you don’t get help from the pitch, I don’t think there’s any smartness in putting in long spells and finishing one’s energy. I had planned for everyone," said Shami.
The contest continues at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground with Shami leading the bowling unit and reiterating his call for a faster, more helpful pitch for the home side.