Mohammed Shami on possible ICC Champions Trophy 2025 return: ‘If God’s willing, everything will be possible’

The comeback has been tough for Mohammed Shami. For a man who once had to take another person’s help to climb even a step at the National Cricket Academy, returning to cricket was the most satisfying thing for the veteran India pacer in the world.     

After warming the bench for the first four matches in the ODI World Cup 2023, Shami found himself in the Indian playing XI after Hardik Pandya got injured against Bangladesh. Thereafter it was all Shami as the Bengal pacer became a nightmare for the opposition. He finished as the highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps in just seven games with a seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in the semifinal. 

However, a chronic right heel injury kept him out of the game for few months before the 34-year-old went underwent a surgery in his Achilles tendon. He returned to cricket with Bengal last November in Ranji Trophy, picking up seven wickets against Madhya Pradesh. 

Since then, Shami played the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and a few matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While right-arm seamer took 11 wickets in SMAT, he picked five wickets in three Vijay Hazare Trophy games. With the white-ball series against England and Champions Trophy fast approaching, Shami is expected to make a comeback in the Indian dressing room after more than a year.  

“Everything is possible if the superior (God) wants,” Shami told Anandabazar Patrika when asked about his possible return to India’s Champions Trophy squad. Staying away from the game is always tough for any sportsperson. Shami was no different. 

“To the player, the game is everything. If that is not there, who likes it? Life is life for me. How can I enjoy life if I can’t pick up the ball? Life has become very difficult, that much I can say,” added Shami.