Mohammed Shami is all set to return to international cricket in IND vs ENG T20I series after spending 14 months on the sidelines nursing an injury. The veteran has spent a gruelling time recovering from multiple injuries, including blows to his ankle and left knee. And who better than the pacer to advise youngsters on how to make a comeback after a setback.
Shami’s “hunger for India” formula to make comeback
At an event organised by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Shami explained that the hunger to play for the country would always ensure that a player makes a comeback, no matter how many times he gets injured. The pacer revealed that he always felt that he had played less matches for India, adding that he won’t get another chance when he decides to stop playing cricket. Further, Shami said that it has never happened that a player representing the country has thought of leaving the game because of an injury.
“Country ke liye jo khelne ki bhoonkh hai woh kabhi khatam nahin honi chahiye. Appko agar usse pyar hai toh aap hamesha fightback karte rahenge, injured chahe aap 10 baar ho jaye (The first thing I feel is that the hunger to play for the country should never end,)” Shami said.
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“It has never happened that players who represent their state or country think about leaving the game after an injury. Whenever we get injured, the only thought in our mind is — when can we return?” Shami added.
While he did go under the knife in the first half of 2024 to fix an ankle injury, he developed swelling in knees during his recovery. The complication delayed his international comeback. However, that period is over and Shami is all set to return to action. After taking part in the T20Is, he will play in the IND vs ENG ODI series followed by the ICC Champions Trophy.
The veteran pacer did return to domestic cricket in 2024, taking part in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While he was supposed to join Team India in Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he wasn’t cleared by the NCA at that point of time and hence sat out of that tour.
