I see hunger in Shami to make India comeback, says Ishan Kishan

East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan believes veteran pacer Mohammad Shami still has the hunger and motivation to return to the Indian team. Kishan praised Shami's intensity and competitive spirit after his five-wicket haul helped East Zone reach the Duleep Trophy final

Chennai: The fire burns inside Mohammad Shami even after tallying 903 wickets in 100 first-class games, leaving East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan convinced about the pacer’s “hunger and motivation” to make an India comeback.

Shami played a big role in East Zone’s march to the Duleep Trophy final after 13 years, taking five wickets against Central Zone in the semifinal at Bengaluru.

---

“I think he is just one of the best. He has been a legend of this game. He has been doing so well since he started playing for Bengal. He has been picking wickets, giving all his energy and he has done so well for the Indian cricket team also,” Kishan told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

“It’s hard to say when it comes to age. I feel age is just a number. If he is working hard, it doesn’t matter. I see that hunger in Shami bhai because who better than me to judge hunger right now?” Kishan said, hinting at his own time away from the Indian cricket team for various reasons.

“He has been doing so well, especially having him in our team… it gives us a bit more confidence,” Kishan added.

At 36, Shami is closer to the end of his career, but Kishan said it has not prevented the Bengal pacer from asking for a few extra overs.

“Looking at his efforts as a captain, I felt very nice because Shami bhai came in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets. This is something which always gives confidence to skippers. When you have bowlers who are willing to get you wickets, it’s always good to have him in the team.

“He also finished with two boundaries, so he is an all-rounder, I feel, nowadays. So I am very happy to have him in my team,” he added.

So, what sets Shami apart?

“Looking at Shami bhai this season, I feel he has been very different from how I have seen him in the past, but his approach towards the game, his intensity, his energy have been very different.”

Kishan clearly saw the hunger in Shami, someone who desperately wanted to earn a recall to the India fold.

“You know, it is hard when you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games is tough.

“He has that hunger and that motivation right now, like he wants to make that comeback. He wants to be part of the Indian squad again and you can see it in him.”

Shami’s last appearance in India colours was in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in Dubai.

But Kishan said the long absence from top-flight cricket has not dulled Shami’s competitive spirit.

“When he is trying to help me when I am leading the side… he is trying to come to me and give me options of what I can do. I think these things you can pick from a player, whether he is willing to win you this game or not.

“That is something which all our boys are trying to do and we have been on the winning side,” he added.

South Zone skipper Tilak Varma too showered praise on Shami but said his side is ready to take on the wily pacer.

“It will be a good competition for us playing against Shami bhai. We have seen in the last game how he set up the batters and took that wicket.

“But we know that we are pretty confident for that challenge. That is why you love the sport. So, we prepared enough for that and we are ready to take him on,” said Tilak.