Last Sunday, Mohammed Shami delivered another sharp reminder of his brilliance in the T20 format amid the clamour for his return to India. Lucknow Super Giants secured their first win in the ongoing IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and at the centre of the victory was Shami. The fast bowler produced a stunning 2/9, including 18 dot balls, as LSG won by five wickets in Hyderabad.
Mohammed Shami, left, during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 cricket match between Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals (PTI)
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Shami has been consistent in his performance, even in domestic cricket for Bengal, since his return from injury. He was among the top six wicket takers in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy, claiming 37 scalps at an impressive average of 16.72. He also played a key role in Bengal's run to the semifinals, including a standout performance of 8/90, though the team eventually lost to champions Jammu and Kashmir after taking a first-innings lead. Yet, he has remained out of the national team for almost three years now.
Speaking at the unveiling of third season of Bengal Pro T20 League on Tuesday, Shami responded to the growing noise backing his return to the Indian team. He said: "Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai (we are like labourers, we just have to keep bowling). There will be ups and downs in life -- injuries and all -- but you should never forget your ground-level hard work.
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Speaking at the unveiling of third season of Bengal Pro T20 League on Tuesday, Shami responded to the growing noise backing his return to the Indian team. He said: "Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai (we are like labourers, we just have to keep bowling). There will be ups and downs in life -- injuries and all -- but you should never forget your ground-level hard work.
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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who was part of the same event, backed Shami for an India comeback and bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah.
"He should be bowling at the other end of Bumrah, nowhere else. That's how good he is. We all saw that spell the other night against Sunrisers Hyderabad -- four overs, nine runs against two of the best T20 players, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. That was phenomenal."
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Not only did Ganguly cite Shami's performance against SRH to make that statement, but also recalled that eight-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.
"He had a strong Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. I still remember that semifinal, even though Bengal lost, he picked eight wickets. He was instrumental in taking the team that far.
"I'm very happy he wants to continue playing in the Ranji Trophy. It's tough for a fast bowler, but there's nothing better than watching Mohammed Shami run in with the new ball."
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.
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Home/Cricket/‘We are like labourers’: Mohammed Shami's sharp reaction to rising India return clamour
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