(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India pacer Mohammad Shami has broken the silence on his T20I exile, stating that he is ready to play in the upcoming World Cup if the team management wants him to.
Shami last played a T20I for India in the World Cup 2022 semi-final. Since then, he has not featured in a single game in the shortest-format for India but won the Purple Cap in IPL 2023, claiming 28 wickets in 17 matches.
The veteran fast-bowler was also the highest wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023. He found place in the playing XI after Hardik Pandya got injured. In just seven matches, Shami took 24 wickets.
Expressing his confusion on T20I future, Shami aims to do well in the nearing IPL season to get back in the reckoning for the World Cup selection.
“Whenever it comes to T20s , many times I don’t understand that whether I am in (the) scene or not. But what I feel is that you have IPL before the T20 World Cup and that is the best opportunity to bring in momentum, and if management will ask me to play, I’ll be available,” Shami said as quoted to India Today.
Shami is recently recovering from an ankle injury, which ruled him out of South Africa Test series. He is expected to make his comeback in the five-match Test series versus England.
Shami recently was honored with the Arjuna Award for his outstanding performance in the World Cup 2023.