‘He Wants to Make That Comeback’: Ishan Kishan Reveals Mohammad Shami’s India Return Hunger

Mohammad Shami may have already taken 903 wickets in 100 first-class matches, but the veteran pacer still has the hunger to keep going.

That is the feeling East Zone captain Ishan Kishan got while playing alongside Shami in the Duleep Trophy. The 36-year-old played a key role in East Zone’s run to the final, taking five wickets against Central Zone in the semifinal in Bengaluru.

East Zone have reached the Duleep Trophy final for the first time in 13 years, and Shami’s experience has been one of their biggest strengths.

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Kishan impressed by Shami’s hunger

Kishan believes Shami still has plenty to offer and feels his age should not be a major talking point as long as the pacer continues to work hard.

“I think he is just one of the best. He has been a legend of this game. He has been doing so well since he started playing for Bengal. He has been picking wickets, giving all his energy and he has done so well for the Indian cricket team also,” Kishan told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

“It’s hard to say when it comes to age, I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard it doesn’t matter. I see that hunger in Shami bhai because who better than me to judge about hunger right now (hinting at Kishan’s time away from Indian cricket team for various reasons).

“He has been doing so well, especially having him in our team…it gives us a bit of more confidence,” Kishan added.

Shami keeps asking for more overs

Kishan also spoke about Shami’s attitude on the field. Despite being one of the senior members of the side, the fast bowler has continued to put his hand up whenever his captain needs him.

According to Kishan, Shami even asked for extra overs during the semifinal as he looked to make an impact with the ball.

“Looking at his efforts as a captain, I felt very nice, because Shami bhai came in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets, this is something which always gives confidence to skippers. When you have bowlers who are willing to get you wickets. So, it’s always good to have him in the team.

“He also finished with two boundaries, so he is an all-rounder, I feel nowadays. So I am very happy to have him in my team,” he added.

‘His intensity has been very different’

Kishan feels Shami has looked different this season compared to what he has seen from the pacer in the past.

“So, looking at Shami bhai this season, I feel he has been very different, how I have seen him in past, but his approach towards the game, his intensity, his energy has been very different.”

For Kishan, the biggest change has been the level of motivation Shami has shown during his domestic campaign.

The pacer has been away from the Indian team for a considerable period, but that has not affected his desire to perform. Kishan believes Shami is determined to force his way back into the national side.

“You know it is hard when you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games is tough.

“He has that hunger and that motivation right now like he wants to do that comeback. He wants to be part of the Indian squad again and you can see it in him.”

Shami last played for India in Champions Trophy final

Shami’s last appearance for India came in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai.

While his time away from international cricket has been long, Kishan feels the competitive edge in the pacer remains as strong as ever.

“When he is trying to help me when I am leading the side…he is trying to come to me, give me options of what you can do. I think these things you can pick from a player whether he is willing to win you this game or not.

“That is something which all our boys are trying to do and we have been on the winning side,” he added.

Tilak Varma ready for Shami challenge

South Zone captain Tilak Varma also had words of praise for Shami ahead of the Duleep Trophy final.

Varma knows exactly what the experienced pacer can do after watching him unsettle batters in the semifinal. However, South Zone are not planning to be intimidated by the challenge.

“It will be a good competition for us playing against Shami bhai. We have seen in the last game how he set up the batters and took that wicket.

“But we know that we are pretty confident for that challenge. That is why you love the sport. So, we prepared enough for that and we are ready to take him on,” said Tilak.