Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian team has also brought fresh hope for another experienced fast bowler, Mohammed Shami. After being away from international cricket for almost four years, Bhuvneshwar has earned his place back in India’s T20I squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. His performances in the last two IPL seasons played a big role in his comeback, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning the title in both campaigns.

While Bhuvneshwar has made his way back into the Indian setup, Shami is still waiting for his next opportunity at the international level.

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Laxmi Ratan Shukla Backs Mohammed Shami

Shami last played for India in March 2025, when he featured in the Champions Trophy final. Since then, the veteran pacer has been working hard to remain in contention for a comeback.

Former India fast bowler and current Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla believes Shami still has plenty to offer and deserves another chance with the national team.

“Shami is playing for Bengal this season. He’s bowling like a youngster. I hope that he will again play for India and end his career playing for India. He is one of the greatest fast bowlers ever world cricket produced. He deserves that,” Shukla told PTI.

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Shami Still Wants To Play For India

Shukla also spoke about Shami’s commitment to Bengal and said the fast bowler continues to push himself despite having already achieved so much in his career.

“He still wants to play for India. But other than that, how many bowlers have you seen maintaining this level of commitment to the state?” Shukla said.

“I have seen him from a time when he was just a net bowler. He made his Bengal debut under my captaincy.”

Shukla has also seen Shami’s growth closely over the years and feels his contribution goes beyond his performances with the ball.

“He has developed into a great player and a great human being. He keeps motivating everyone in the dressing room, and he is our brother. I am sure he will be doing well this season and go on to play for India again,” he added.

Mohammed Shami Has Not Given Up

Shami, who has represented India in 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is, has also made it clear that he is not ready to give up on his international career.

After the 2026 Duleep Trophy final, Shami spoke about the importance of staying motivated and continuing to aim higher.

“There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. At this level, if you aren’t self-motivated, your approach is wrong. No matter what stage you’re playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level,” he had said.