NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami sounded both practical and intensely personal as he spoke about returning to Eden Gardens ahead of Thursday\u2019s match between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders\u2014an 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai\u201d (We\u2019re simple people\u2014we 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2014injuries included\u2014but insisted that hard work at the grassroots cannot be replaced by flashy ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be ups and downs in life\u2014injuries and all\u2014but you should never forget your ground-level hard work,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you chase too many \u2018fancy things\u2019, that becomes your weakness. These days, everyone is chasing social media.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come from a farmer\u2019s family and I haven\u2019t left my roots. As a player, I still have that hunger,\u201d Shami added. \u201cIf you want to play at that level again, you have to carry that kind of drive inside you.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Shami, Eden Gardens is not just another venue\u2014it is his \u201ckarm bhoomi\u201d. Having represented Bengal for years, the veteran pacer highlighted how comfort with surroundings can sharpen a bowler\u2019s preparation when stakes rise. As he gears up to face KKR, he pointed to the value of familiarity in domestic cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, domestic cricket is as important as any format. I always prioritise it. Even though I was born in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal is my \u2018karm bhoomi\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He also made his commitment to the state clear, adding, \u201cJab tak mere andar khelne ke liye jaan hai, mein Bengal ke liye kheloonga\u201d (As long as I have the strength and motivation to play, I will keep playing for Bengal).<\/p>\n
When asked about conditions, Shami suggested there could be a subtle advantage tied to being a \u201clocal\u201d performer. \u201cYou always get that home advantage at Eden Gardens. You understand the pitch and conditions because you\u2019ve spent so much time there,\u201d he said. \u201cIf I play here against KKR, there will be some benefit for me because I\u2019m a \u2018local\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
With Kolkata still searching for their first win of the season and Lucknow beginning to build momentum, Shami\u2019s return to Eden could add an extra edge\u2014both emotionally and tactically\u2014to the contest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami sounded both practical and intensely personal as he spoke about returning to Eden Gardens ahead of Thursday\u2019s match between Lucknow Super…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1075,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Shami at Eden Gardens: LSG vs KKR IPL Match Preview","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Mohammed Shami on staying focused at Eden Gardens as LSG host KKR\u2014after his 2\/9 vs SRH and 18 dot balls, IPL match preview.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1076","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n