Mohammad Shami defends missing Ranji match, insists fitness is at its peak

Indian fast bowler Mohammad Shami has addressed doubts regarding his fitness and commitment after he sat out Bengal's second-round Ranji Trophy match against Services. The decision to skip the game at the Air Force Ground in Palam came just two days after he was left out of India's squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. That exclusion pushes his absence from the national side past the 20-month mark. Bengal went on to secure a 60-run victory on Tuesday in a low-scoring fixture where spinners claimed 39 of the 40 wickets, proving his choice to rest was practical. In a sharp reply to critics, the 36-year-old stated that he remains at the peak of his physical condition and questioned why anyone would lie about it. He pointed out that the pitch conditions made it pointless for a fast bowler to strain for just a couple of overs, leaving the task to younger players who needed the game time. Addressing online chatter about his ability to handle heavy red-ball workloads, Shami rejected the idea that outsiders could judge how many overs he should bowl. He stressed that bowling plans depend entirely on match situations and pitch behavior rather than a fixed quota of overs. Highlighting his ongoing workload, he noted that he bowled for an hour and a half on Tuesday and had delivered over 35 overs for five wickets in Bengal's previous win over Delhi.

Context

Fast bowlers often manage their match loads carefully based on pitch conditions to avoid unnecessary injury and let spinners dominate friendly surfaces. The Ranji Trophy serves as India's premier domestic red-ball tournament where national team hopefuls prove their fitness and form. Shami continues to target a return to the Indian Test and ODI squads despite his extended layoff from international cricket.