‘Hum mazdoor aadmi hain’: Shami remains grounded despite India’s long snub

New Delhi: Mohammad Shami Returning to his ‘home’ Eden Gardens, he kept things simple, raw and very personal ahead of Lucknow Supergiants’ game against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday – a game that was full of subplots for the veteran pacer.Shami, who was fresh off a win against Sunrisers Hyderabad in which he took a stunning 2/9 off 18 balls, spoke philosophically, highlighting the values ​​that continue to drive him forward despite injuries and time away from the national team.“Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai (We are like labourers, we just have to keep bowling),” quipped Shami, summing up his approach with disarming honesty.Rooted, driven by hungerThe fast bowler looked back on his journey and insisted that staying grounded has been the key to his longevity and consistency.“There are going to be ups and downs in life — injuries and all that — but you should never forget your hard work at the grassroots level,” he said. “If you go for too many ‘bells and whistles,’ that becomes your weakness. Everyone is going after social media these days.”Despite being overlooked for national selection, Shami has continued to perform well in domestic cricket, topping the list in recent times. ranji trophy Has 37 wickets at an average of 16.72. His outstanding performance of 8/90 played a major role in Bangladesh reaching the semi-finals.“I was born into a farmer’s family and I haven’t left my roots. I still have that desire as a player. If you want to reach that level again, you have to have that drive,” he added.Garden of Eden: Return with EdgeFor Shami, Eden Gardens is not just a venue but his “karm bhoomi”. The veteran pacer admitted the advantage of familiarity as he prepares to face KKR after representing Bengal for many years.“For me, domestic cricket is as important as any format. I always prioritize it. Even though I was born in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal is my ‘karm bhoomi’,” he said.“As long as I still have the strength and motivation to play football, I will continue to play for the Bengals.”Shami hinted at a subtle edge when it comes to conditions. “Playing at the Eden Gardens, you always have a home advantage. You know the pitch and the conditions because you spend a lot of time there. If I play against KKR here, as a ‘local’ I will have some advantage.”With KKR still looking for their first win of the season and LSG gaining momentum, Shami’s return to the Eden Gardens is likely to tip the balance.