Mohammed Shami On "Wrong Approach" As Selection Debate Rages On

By Suresh

**Shami's Self-Motivation Manifesto: The Pacer's Answer to the Selection Silence** Like a *alap* that builds patiently before the rhythm arrives, Mohammed Shami keeps composing his case for recall—move by move, wicket by wicket—while the selectors remain silent. The veteran seamer has once again turned heads in domestic cricket, finishing the Duleep Trophy with seven wickets across three matches, including a five-wicket haul in the semifinal. His East Zone lifted the title after a 13-year wait, the trophy decided on the strength of a commanding first-innings lead against South Zone in a day-five draw. Shami contributed two wickets in the final, adding to a 2025-26 Ranji campaign of 37 wickets at an average of 16.72, with three five-wicket hauls. Speaking after the victorious campaign, Shami addressed the motivation question that often surrounds players in his position: "There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. You can draw positivity from this ground or any ground you step onto. At this level, if you aren't selfmotivated, your approach is wrong." "Whether it's your first match or your 100th, it doesn't matter, the effort and the approach remain exactly the same." Shami last played India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final and has not featured in a Test since the 2023 WTC final. Yet his domestic form keeps his comeback firmly in the spotlight. Former captain Sourav Ganguly weighed in, insisting the pacer hasn't been neglected—though he admitted clarity on Shami's future can't be given with conviction. For now, Shami lets his bowling do the talking. The melody is there; the selectors simply haven't joined in yet. _**With ANI inputs**_ Source: NDTV Sports