Mohammed Shami thoroughly enjoyed his role as one of the senior-most players in the East Zone squad during their successful Duleep Trophy 2026 campaign. The veteran pacer also embraced the opportunity to mentor 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, whose age, as Shami pointed out, is almost identical to the length of his own First-Class career.

Shami claimed seven wickets in three matches at an average of 26.57, including two wickets in the final against South Zone. East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy title by virtue of their massive first-innings lead, ending a long wait for the prestigious domestic championship.

The final was particularly memorable for Shami as it marked his 100th First-Class appearance. He made his First-Class debut on November 17, 2010, representing Bengal against Assam in the Ranji Trophy. Just four months later, Sooryavanshi was born on March 27, 2011. At only 15, the young batter has already lifted the Duleep Trophy and served as East Zone’s vice-captain.

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“I thoroughly enjoyed it,” Mohammed Shami said, as quoted by PTI. “The kid on our team (Sooryavanshi) is literally as old as my career.”

Shami praised the youngster’s youthful energy and ability to learn quickly, while also highlighting the maturity of today’s young cricketers. He explained that players exposed to the IPL and other high-pressure competitions often develop maturity early. 

According to Mohammed Shami, senior players do not need to over-coach youngsters but should provide tactical guidance when matches become challenging.

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Reflecting on his 100th First-Class match, Shami said the Duleep Trophy triumph made the occasion even more special. He praised every member of the East Zone squad for their commitment, particularly while playing in difficult heat and conditions. For Shami, however, the milestone did not change his approach. The experienced pacer stressed that whether it is his first game or 100th, his effort and mindset remain unchanged.