'You play for the badge': Mohammed Shami on keeping his India hopes alive

CHENNAI: At 36, Mohammed Shami may have a century of First-class matches under his belt, but the hunger remains the same.

As East Zone ended a 14-year wait to win their third Duleep Trophy, it was the veteran pacer’s third Duleep title as well.

“Achieving this in my 100th match is special. East Zone have won this after a very long time,” Shami said.

Asked if he keeps telling himself that his chance for the national team will come, Shami smiled and said, “I have to keep thinking that.”

The milestone, though, has done little to change his approach.

“Whether it’s your first match or your 100th, the effort and the approach remain exactly the same. You play for the badge. Your eyes must always be set on the next level,” he said.

Shami took seven wickets in three matches, including 2-42 in South Zone’s first innings in the final. On a flat Chepauk track offering little assistance, he relied on discipline and reverse swing.

“I’m always learning. In conditions like these, you can’t expect much conventional swing and the bounce was quite low. My approach was strictly about sticking to my line and length. I trust my line and length completely. And honestly, if you can’t exploit reverse swing in this kind of heat, what’s the point,” Shami said.

For the pacer, however, thriving when conditions are stacked against him is where the real challenge lies.

“I wouldn’t call it fun, but it turns into a completely different tactical battle. When conditions are in your favour, executing plans is straightforward. The real test is when conditions don’t suit you, that’s when delivering for your team matters most,” he said.

“That’s when your skill is tested in its purest form. Whenever challenging situations arise, I want to put my hand up and deliver for the side.”

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