‘You’re playing for a badge’: Mohammed Shami on keeping his India hopes alive

Mohammed Shami (Image credit: BCCI Domestic) CHENNAI: At 36, Mohammed Shami has a century of first-class matches but the hunger remains the same.As East Zone ended a 14-year wait to win a third Duleep Trophy, it was also the veteran’s third Duleep title.“To achieve this in my 100th match is special. East Zone won it after a very long time,” Shami said.Asked if he still thinks his chance for the national team will come, Shami smiled and said, “I have to keep thinking about it.”However, the milestone did not change his approach much.“Whether it’s your first game or your 100th game, the effort and attitude remain exactly the same. You’re playing for a badge. Your eyes must always be set on the next level,” he said.Shami took seven wickets in three matches, including 2-42 in the first innings of South Zone in the final. He relied on discipline and a backswing on Chepauk’s flat course offering little help.“I’m always learning. You can’t expect much of a conventional swing in conditions like these and the bounce was pretty low. My approach was strictly about sticking to my line and length. I totally trust my line and length. And honestly, if you can’t use the backswing in this kind of heat, what’s the point,” Shami said.However, the real challenge for a pacer lies in doing well when the odds are stacked against him.“I wouldn’t call it fun, but it turns into a completely different tactical battle. When the conditions are in your favor, the execution of the plans is straightforward. The real test is when the conditions are not in your favor, that’s what matters most to your team,” he said.“That’s when your skills are tested at their purest. Whenever the tough situations arise, I want to put my hand up and play for the side.”