Mohammed Shami once again showed that age has done little to reduce his hunger for competitive cricket. The 36-year-old fast bowler played an important role in East Zone’s Duleep Trophy 2026 triumph in Chennai, making his 100th First-Class appearance even more memorable. Shami has not played for India since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final and has been away from Test cricket since the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final.
However, the veteran pacer remains determined to keep competing, improving and proving that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. The conditions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium were challenging for fast bowlers, with a batting-friendly surface and low bounce making life difficult. Shami, however, adapted brilliantly. He used conventional swing with the new ball before turning to reverse swing as the ball became older.
The experienced pacer also generated more pace and hit the pitch harder than several of South Zone’s bowlers. His efforts, along with Mukesh Kumar’s, helped East Zone dismiss South Zone for 336 runs and secure a commanding first-innings advantage. Reflecting on his approach after the final, Shami stressed that motivation should come from within and that players must always look for positives, regardless of the level at which they are competing.
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“There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. You can take positivity from this ground or any ground you step onto. 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,” Mohammed Shami said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
The veteran pacer also highlighted the importance of playing for the team and taking pride in representing the side. For Shami, wearing the team badge should automatically bring responsibility and hunger.
Mohammed Shami said that his hunger to keep playing remains undimmed though he is now past 36.
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) September 11, 2026
“I always say this: you play for the badge. When you wear that crest on your chest, the level of cricket doesn’t matter,” he said. “If you play for the badge, that hunger will naturally show. Your willingness to fight only grows when you play with that pride. My mindset is simple: whichever level I get an opportunity to play, I want to make it count and fulfill my responsibility towards the team.”
Shami also explained how he managed the difficult Chennai conditions. Rather than relying on movement alone, he focused on maintaining his line and length and creating opportunities through disciplined bowling.
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“In conditions like these, you can’t expect much conventional swing, and the bounce was quite low. I trust my line and length completely, and that’s where I try to create wickets from,” Mohammed Shami said.
The 36-year-old remains committed to learning and adapting, with reverse swing proving particularly effective in Chennai’s heat. For Shami, every opportunity remains another chance to compete, contribute and keep improving.
