Mohammed Shami has opened up about his retirement plans after being overlooked once again by the Indian selectors for the upcoming New Zealand series. While the team management has backed experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shami continues to wait for an opportunity to return to the national side after spending more than a year away from international cricket. At 36, the experienced fast bowler is approaching an age when many cricketers begin considering retirement. However, Shami has made it clear that he has no immediate plans to walk away from the game.
Speaking in a video interview with SportsTak, the Bengal pacer explained that his passion for cricket and enthusiasm for training remain as strong as ever. Shami revealed that his daily routine continues to motivate him, particularly his early-morning training sessions. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his international future, he remains determined to keep playing as long as he enjoys the demands of professional cricket.
The fast bowler believes retirement should depend on an individual’s motivation rather than age alone. According to Mohammed Shami, the day he loses the desire to wake up early and head to the ground will be the time to consider ending his career.
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“Look, I have already said this before. The day I get bored waking up at 7 or 6 in the morning, I will say thank you to myself. But right now, I don’t feel bored. I am getting motivated. So, according to me, I should play now. There is still time because I personally, as a sportsman, believe that if you have to go to the ground at 6.30 in the morning for 5-4 days and you feel bored or tired, then I think it is time for you to think about retirement. But I don’t think there is a problem with waking up at 6.30 in the morning. Even today, I am on the ground at 7.30,” Mohammed Shami said.
MOHAMMED SHAMI On Retirement: जिस दिन मन नहीं करेगा, संन्यास ले लूंगा, अभी तो मजा आ रहा है |
@rawatrahul9 @MdShami11
#MohammedShami #MohammedShamiExclusive #ShamiInterview #RahulRawat #TeamIndia #IndianCricket #ShamiComeback #AjitAgarkar #BCCI #DomesticCricket https://t.co/a82rMJWJew— Sports Tak (@sports_tak) October 20, 2026
Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami has continued to make an impact in domestic cricket. He recently claimed five wickets for Bengal in their 2026-27 Ranji Trophy encounter against Delhi. The right-arm pacer picked up four wickets in the first innings and added another in the second as Bengal secured a convincing nine-wicket victory in Kalyani.
His recent performances have also included a two-wicket haul in the Duleep Trophy final for East Zone and five wickets in the semi-final. These outings underline his ability to remain a consistent wicket-taker despite his absence from international cricket.
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With the Ranji Trophy season underway, Mohammed Shami will have another opportunity to strengthen his case for an India comeback. Consistent performances could make it increasingly difficult for the selectors to overlook his experience and wicket-taking ability. Following Ajit Agarkar’s reported departure as chief selector, attention will also be on the next selection committee’s approach to Shami’s international future. For now, the veteran pacer appears focused on one priority: continuing to play cricket while the motivation remains strong.
