Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami on Tuesday (October 28) said he is "fit" and "ready" for an India comeback, following his exceptional performances in the season's first two Ranji Trophy fixtures.
Shami returned with figures of 3/37 and 4/38 across the two innings to power Bengal to an eight-wicket victory over Uttarakhand in the first round of Ranji Trophy.
The right-arm quick made a statement with an eight-wicket haul in the second match, propelling his team to a 141-run win over Gujarat and demonstrating his fitness at the age of 35.
"A lot of hard work is there and I believe luck too plays a part. Every person wants to play for the country. So, I am ready for that (again)," Shami told reporters after his five-wicket haul in Gujarat's second innings.
"My motivation is to stay fit and be available for the Indian team at all times. In the ground, I will continue to perform and the rest is on the selectors' hands."
He added, "It's a relief. Mentally, physically, it feels very good, because, you are coming back from such a difficult time (injury), and you stay on the ground after that.
"After that, all the things... Ranji Trophy, domestic season, white ball cricket, then IPL, Champions Trophy, then Duleep Trophy, and now these two matches. So, the rhythm, the flow was there. Now it feels like cricket is still there (left in me)."
Earlier this month, Shami slammed the selectors over a lack of communication following his snub from the Indian white-ball squads for the ongoing Australia tour.
However, Shami, who last played for India during the Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in March, chose to stay clear of controversy when he was asked for his thoughts on international comeback on Tuesday.
"I am always involved in some controversy, thanks to you guys (laughs). It's a misunderstanding...," he said.
Shami expressed his gratitude towards the Bengal team management for their support during a testing phase.
"I played a match against MP 11 months ago, and I am playing this match now. I feel good, but the important thing is that your team is with you at this time, when you are competing."
Shami also said that he has asked the curators to prepare a green top at Eden Gardens as he believes the Bengal boasts one of the best pace attacks in Indian domestic circuit.
"I had said earlier that we need a green top, because we have four pacers, one of the best in domestic cricket. If you can raise your voice, if you can say that it is better, because we have the opportunity, we have the ability to get six points, seven points if we are playing on green tops," Shami said.
(With PTI Inputs)
