'Life has been challenging': Mohammed Shami speaks out as he awaits his Team India comeback

India's performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy was undoubtedly affected by the absence of Mohammed Shami. Fans are now eagerly awaiting his return for the upcoming Champions Trophy, hoping that his services will not be missed again. The pacer himself has been going through a tough time, admitting that it has been agonizing for him to be unable to play cricket and represent the Indian team.

"For a player, playing is everything. For me, the ball is my life. How can I enjoy that life if I cannot pick up the ball in my hands? Life has become very difficult, that's all I can say," Shami told the Anandabazar Patrika.

Shami has turned up for Bengal in domestic cricket across formats in the past couple of months. His return to the Indian team on the Australia tour was hampered by a swelling that came up on his knee and eventually, he couldn't join the team at all. They eventually lost the series 3-1.

‘Would just look at the Indian jersey at NCA for motivation’

Shami has since played for Bengal in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and recently picked three wickets in a knockout match against Haryana. "I always thought that if I have to play again, then I will play properly. I have always wanted to be honest with the game. I have wanted to be honest with my work. I have tried, no matter the ups and downs, there should be no lack of effort on my part," he said.

The 34-year-old said that seeing the Indian jersey was his main motivation to keep pushing during his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. "What greater motivation do you need than playing for the country? I have never needed any more motivation. While I was rehabilitating at the National Academy in Bengaluru, I would just look at the India jersey. Well, I didn't need anything else to motivate myself," he said.

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