Likho, it’s your job: Shami sends messages to fitness critics through reporters

Mohammed Shami seems to have had enough of questions regarding his fitness and India’s possible comeback. The Bengal fast bowler let his performance do the talking on the opening day of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season as he claimed four wickets in the first innings against Delhi in Kalyani before delivering a pointed message to those who questioned his fitness.

“You humans can see and write. It’s your job, isn’t it?” Shami told reporters when asked what he wanted to say to his critics.

“You can see my fitness. Write it. You’re watching me. What happens if I say that? I’m down. I’m playing. I’m playing where I can. My job is just to keep bowling,” he added.

The 36-year-old returned figures of 4 for 30 from 17.3 oversincluding nine maidens when Bengal bowled out Delhi for 240 on Sunday. Shami dismissed middle-order batsmen Yash Dhull and Ayush Doseja before removing Hrithik Shokeen, Delhi’s lone half-century, and ended the innings by rattling the stumps of Divij Mehra.

Shami bowled more overs than any of the other Bengal front seamers. Akash Deep bowled 17 overs for two wickets while Mukesh Kumar bowled 17 overs and claimed one. Sami’s economy of 1.71 was the best among them.

“I don’t feel any change. People always express their opinions. I’ve heard people say that I don’t have rhythm and fitness. I don’t care about all that and I enjoy my game,” he said.

Asked how he continues to trouble the batsmen by moving both ways, Shami offered a reminder of the experience behind his craft.

“You have to be smart to know when to make the ball move in and out. It’s built in,” he said.

Questions surrounding Shami’s fitness have dogged him with repeated omissions from the Indian squad. He last represented the country in the Champions Trophy final in March 2025, after which he was overlooked for several international competitions despite continuing to play domestic cricket.

The debate intensified in September and October 2025 when the then chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited a lack of clarity regarding Shami’s fitness and match-readiness following his absence from the Indian teams. Shami hit back and claimed that his availability for Bengal demonstrated that he was ready to play. In May 2026, Agarkar said it was no discussion about Shami’s return to Test cricketand added that according to the information available to the selectors, his body allowed him to play T20 cricket at that stage.

Agarkar’s tenure as Chief Collector has ended earlier this month, but questions surrounding Shami’s international future remain. Meanwhile, the flight attendant continued to perform on the field.

Last season, he took 37 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal at an average of 16.72, including three five-wicket hauls. His latest performance is yet another reminder of his value to the home side, even if a memory from India remains elusive.

For now, Shami’s message has been straightforward: play, bowl and enjoy cricket. Whether that will be enough to force him back into India’s plans remains to be seen.

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