‘God didn’t accept it’: Former India cricketer on Mohammed Shami’s failed Test comeback

Mohammed Shami (ICC photo) Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla is disappointed that Mohammed Shami could not return to the Indian Test team before announcing his retirement from the format.Shukla said he and many others wanted the senior fast bowler to return to the Indian team and end his Test career with India. However, he felt fate had other plans for the 36-year-old pacer.Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on Friday evening, bringing to an end a 13-year career that saw him take 229 wickets in 64 matches, including six five-wicket hauls.Shami last played a Test for India in the 2023 Test World Cup final against Australia. Although not a part of India’s Test plans since then, he has continued to play domestic cricket for Bengal.“Despite all that, I’ve played and coached for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy for the last two years, Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare – I mean you’re the best, Shami.”“You are outstanding. We all wanted you to come back to the Test team and leave from there. But God did not accept it. Despite that, you are the best,” Shukla said in a video posted on his Instagram account.

Shukla praises Shami’s hard work

The former India all-rounder also praised Shami for the hard work he put in for Bengal despite playing international cricket for many years.Shukla said he had rarely seen a fast bowler work so hard for domestic cricket after achieving so much at the international level.“Outstanding Mohammed Shami. A wonderful record in Test cricket for a great player and human being.”“I would like to share one thing with you all that Mohammed Shami has put in so much effort. I have not seen a fast bowler work so hard in domestic cricket games after playing so many international matches and taking many wickets in Tests, ODIs and T20s,” he said.Shami has been one of India’s most successful fast bowlers, especially on overseas tours. He took 145 wickets at an average of 30.33 in 41 away Tests. He was even more effective at home, taking 76 wickets at an average of 22.1.

“You started with us in the red ball”

Shukla also recalled Shami’s early days in Bengal cricket and how he moved from the national under-23 team straight to the Ranji Trophy.The Bengal coach said he was the captain when Shami first joined the senior team and was happy to see how far the fast bowler has come.“I remember the day you came to our Bengal nets for the U23 matches. You played the Ranji Trophy straight from there. Our selectors were there and I was the captain at the time. You played from there and I was the captain then and now I am the coach here,” he said.Shukla also spoke about Shami’s strong association with Bengal cricket and said that his journey in red ball cricket has come to an end.“You started with us in the red ball and now your Test career is over with us. Our association is also very good. They have always supported you a lot. What you have done for Bengal is amazing. Mohammed Shami is and always will be a great inspiration. I love you my brother. See you soon.”

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Shami to continue playing white ball cricket

Although Shami has retired from Tests, he will continue to play white-ball cricket.The fast bowler has been named in Bengal’s 19-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14.Bengal will begin their campaign against Karnataka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 14.Bengal is placed in the elite Group A along with Karnataka, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. All the league matches in the group will be played in Mumbai.