India pacer Mohammed Shami made it clear that he has no plans to retire anytime soon, shutting down speculation with a stern response. The veteran pacer insisted that the decision to step away from cricket rests solely with him.
“If someone has a problem, tell me. Does their life become better if I retire? Whose life have I become a rock in that they want me to leave? The day I get bored, I will leave. You don’t pick me? I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other. That is not the time for me now,” Shami told News24.
Even though Shami has been left out of India’s red-ball plans, missing the recent England series and the upcoming Asia Cup T20I squad, he is determined to continue playing as long as he enjoys the game.
Red-Ball Setbacks and Team Uncertainty
The 34-year-old’s international future has been under scrutiny, especially following the retirements of legends like Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Shami last represented India in the Champions Trophy earlier this year and endured a tough IPL season, which made his T20I recall uncertain.
Despite these setbacks, Shami remains focused and motivated, emphasizing that his passion for cricket is far from fading.
The ODI World Cup Dream
Shami also opened up about his ultimate goal: winning the ODI World Cup. He reflected on India’s near-miss in 2023 and acknowledged the role of fans in keeping their spirit alive.
“My only dream is to win the ODI World Cup. I want to be part of the team that brings it home. In 2023, we were very close. There was fear in the knockout stages, but the enthusiasm and belief of the fans motivated us. That dream could have been fulfilled, but maybe it was not my luck,” he said.
For Shami, the journey continues—domestic or international—until the day he personally feels it’s time to step away.
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