NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami sounded both practical and intensely personal as he spoke about returning to Eden Gardens ahead of Thursday’s match between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders—an encounter that carries plenty of storylines for the experienced seamer. Coming off a standout performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he finished with figures of 2/9 and included 18 dot balls, Shami framed his mindset as something grounded and enduring, shaped by setbacks, injuries, and time spent away from the India setup.
“Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai” (We’re simple people—we just have to bowl the ball), Shami said, capturing his approach with a candid simplicity that resonated beyond cricket. For a fast bowler who has had to work through physical hurdles, his message was clear: discipline and effort matter more than distractions.
Grounded in roots, driven by hunger
Reflecting on his career path, Shami stressed that staying connected to the basics has been central to his consistency and longevity. He acknowledged that life brings fluctuations—injuries included—but insisted that hard work at the grassroots cannot be replaced by flashy ambition.
“There will be ups and downs in life—injuries and all—but you should never forget your ground-level hard work,” he said. “If you chase too many ‘fancy things’, that becomes your weakness. These days, everyone is chasing social media.”
Even with opportunities at the international level not arriving as frequently as he would have liked, Shami has kept his standards high in domestic cricket. In the most recent Ranji Trophy, he finished among the leading wicket-takers, claiming 37 wickets at an average of 16.72. His most influential spell came in the form of an 8/90, a performance that played a major role in Bengal reaching the semifinals.
“I come from a farmer’s family and I haven’t left my roots. As a player, I still have that hunger,” Shami added. “If you want to play at that level again, you have to carry that kind of drive inside you.”
Eden Gardens: A homecoming with edge
For Shami, Eden Gardens is not just another venue—it is his “karm bhoomi”. Having represented Bengal for years, the veteran pacer highlighted how comfort with surroundings can sharpen a bowler’s preparation when stakes rise. As he gears up to face KKR, he pointed to the value of familiarity in domestic cricket.
“For me, domestic cricket is as important as any format. I always prioritise it. Even though I was born in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal is my ‘karm bhoomi’,” he said.
He also made his commitment to the state clear, adding, “Jab tak mere andar khelne ke liye jaan hai, mein Bengal ke liye kheloonga” (As long as I have the strength and motivation to play, I will keep playing for Bengal).
When asked about conditions, Shami suggested there could be a subtle advantage tied to being a “local” performer. “You always get that home advantage at Eden Gardens. You understand the pitch and conditions because you’ve spent so much time there,” he said. “If I play here against KKR, there will be some benefit for me because I’m a ‘local’.”
With Kolkata still searching for their first win of the season and Lucknow beginning to build momentum, Shami’s return to Eden could add an extra edge—both emotionally and tactically—to the contest.
