India pacer Mohammed Shami has expressed determination to regain his place in the national cricket team after being omitted from the squads for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Speaking at the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Delhi in New Delhi, Shami emphasized his focus on consistent performance in domestic cricket as a pathway back to international selection.

At 36 years old, Shami has not been included in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) recently announced lineups for both the One Day International (ODI) and Test formats against New Zealand. Despite this setback, the seasoned fast bowler remains committed to honing his skills and maintaining his physical fitness through continuous participation in domestic matches.

“I’m always positive and focused on performing well in every match I play,” Shami said. “I want to keep playing as many matches as possible because that helps me maintain my physical momentum, improve my game, and sharpen my skills. That’s what I’m focused on right now.”

Shami indicated that he has chosen to limit his presence on social media in order to concentrate fully on training and match practice. He stated that staying grounded and dedicating significant time to on-field preparation are his priorities for this season.

“I’m focused entirely on my own game and don’t really concern myself with what others are doing. My priority is to fulfill whatever the team and the game demand of me,” he said. “I’ve also completely stepped away from social media, as I don’t like spending too much time browsing it. Instead, I’m focusing on being on the ground, putting in the hours during practice sessions, and playing as many matches as possible this season.”

Shami’s focus on domestic cricket and personal form reflects his intent to showcase his readiness for future national team opportunities. As the Ranji Trophy season progresses, the fast bowler aims to leverage high-quality performances to make a case for re-selection amid India’s evolving pace bowling options.