Mohammed Shami has started bowling in the nets after a successful ankle surgery. There are reports that he would return to action in a Test series against Bangladesh. He hasn’t played cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup and went on to miss the IPL 2024 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America.

He plays for Gujarat Titans and has taken 48 wickets for the franchise in just two seasons. Shami is one of the bowlers who hasn’t been given a long run by IPL teams. He has been kept in the squad for a few seasons, and despite being among the wicket-takers, the veteran was shown the door. IPL will have a mega auction before IPL 2025, and as per the current rules, the franchises are allowed to retain four players.

Shami is likely to be retained by GT, but if management decides against it, he doesn’t care. In his conversation with Shubhankar Mishra, the right-handed bowler refused to name a franchise he wanted to play for if Gujarat let him go.

“I don’t have any team in mind. I was not retained by Delhi Capitals. I took 60 wickets for the Punjab Kings, but they allowed me to leave, and I joined Gujarat. I have taken 48 scalps for them in just two seasons, and if they don’t retain me, I don’t care. I will give my best for the team who buy me in the auction. If Gujarat need performers, they will retain players, but if they want good faces, they can opt for models. I have a clear perspective in life. I want to give my best,” he said.

He also spoke about Gujarat’s failure in IPL 2024. ‘Hardik was not there. I didn’t play for the team because of an injury. The two other top performers were not in good form. If such a scenario happens, any team would suffer.”