The pacer is back on the field after a poor IPL 2025 with SRH
After being left out of India’s squad for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Mohammed Shami is all set to make his return to competitive cricket with the Duleep Trophy 2025 beginning on Thursday.
Shami, who has been struggling with major injury issues since the 2023 ODI World Cup, returned to the India team earlier this year in the white-ball series against England and played a crucial role in India winning its third Champions Trophy title in Dubai after that.
He then made nine appearances for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and was far below his best – claiming six wickets at an economy of 11.
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This has resulted in many pundits pointing out Shami’s fitness being the big reason behind his poor form and the subsequent snub for the England tour.
However, ahead of the Quarterfinal 1 against North Zone in Bengaluru, Shami expressed his confidence of playing in the Asia Cup 2025 next month in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
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“Touchwood, by god’s grace, everything’s going great. From the last two months, I have lost weight and worked on my skills as well. Now let’s see if it produces results in the match. I have always focused on finding the rhythm and my training has also been centred around it,” Shami said in an interview with Hindi news channel News24.
Even though he hasn’t been picked in the squad for Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in the T20 format this year, Shami was confident of answering the selectors’ call if need arises.
When asked whether he is fit to play in the Asia Cup, Shami answered:
“If I am fit enough to play in the Duleep Trophy, then most definitely in the Asia Cup as well,” Shami said.
Even though he said he is solely focused on doing well for East Zone in the red-ball tournament, Shami expressed his wish to make a comeback in Test cricket.
Shami’s last appearance for India in the Test whites came in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. The 34-year old has played 64 Tests and claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.
