Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has backed Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian squad after Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the T20I team. Shami has performed consistently in the domestic circuit and recently scalped seven wickets in three matches of the Duleep Trophy for eventual champions East Zone.
The veteran pacer also scalped 37 wickets in the previous season of the Ranji Trophy and played a key role in helping Bengal qualify for the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was added to India’s squad after he scalped 28 wickets in 16 matches of IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played an instrumental role in the team’s triumph.
“Making it to the Indian team at the age of 36 shows character. He has been a very disciplined bowler and a very process-driven guy who has worked really hard on his body. I hope when they go to New Zealand, he will do very well; my best wishes are with him. Absolutely, I think he (Mohammed Shami) has done well and played good domestic cricket too. Now it’s Bhuvi’s turn, aur Shami bhi aa rahe hai piche piche, tension mat lijiye (Shami is also right behind him, so don’t worry). I hope the selectors give him an opportunity; he is doing really well,” Raina said on the jersey launch of Indian Soft Ball Cricket League (via PTI).
Shami, on the other hand, said if he doesn’t get his chance to play for India, then it is not his loss.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the chance to play for India, and that’s good for him. But his selection doesn’t concern me. Wherever I get the chance to play, I will give my best. Right now, my focus is firmly on this Ranji match. The same thing has been happening with me for the last two or three years. I have been performing and have proved my fitness for Bengal. If I don’t get the chance to play for India again, it’s not my loss,” Shami told RevSportz.
Meanwhile, Raina said Indian players are consistently delivering the goods while handling the pressure.
“Sanju has scored runs now, we lost the game, but cricket has become so innovative now. Even Abhishek is batting well, Shubman Gill is in a different form altogether. Rohit and Virat are also playing well in ODIs, so I think we are lucky that we have a lot of coaches now, and we have a lot of players who play fearless cricket. They are playing fantastically well while handling the pressure,” Raina said.
Samson scored an impressive knock of 82 runs off 41 balls in the second T20I against the West Indies.
