Mohammed Shami calls himself a ‘mazdoor’, Sourav Ganguly says he should bowl alongside Bumrah

Mohammed Shami, who has not played for India since the Champions Trophy 2025, has quipped that he is just a "labourer" whose job is to keep bowling amid the debate that the 35-year-old fast bowler should soon be picked for the Indian team once again.

Shami has been doing everything possible to return to Team India. He has impressed with performances in domestic cricket, and has made a strong start to the IPL 2026. On Sunday, Shami gave away just nine runs in four overs, took two wickets and bowled 18 dot balls as his side, Lucknow Super Giants, won their first IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets.

Shami calls himself 'mazdoor'

While discussing the demand for his return to the Indian team at an event for the third season of Bengal Pro T20 League, Shami said that his job is to keep performing, and the final decision rests with the BCCI selectors.

"Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai (we are like labourers, we just have to keep bowling). There will be ups and downs in life -- injuries and all -- but you should never forget your ground-level hard work," he said.

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At the same event, former India captain Sourav Ganguly made a strong case for Shami as he said that the pacer should be bowling alongside Jasprit Bumrah.

"He should be bowling at the other end of Bumrah, nowhere else. That's how good he is. We all saw that spell the other night against Sunrisers Hyderabad -- four overs, nine runs against two of the best T20 players, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. That was phenomenal," Ganguly said.

"He had a strong Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. I still remember that semifinal, even though Bengal lost, he picked eight wickets. He was instrumental in taking the team that far.

"I'm very happy he wants to continue playing in the Ranji Trophy. It's tough for a fast bowler, but there's nothing better than watching Mohammed Shami run in with the new ball."

Shami had a sensational Ranji season recently, picking 37 wickets at an average of 16.72. He helped Bengal reach the semi-finals.