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Ishan Kishan Praises Shami Hunger for Team India Comeback: Just ahead of the Duleep Trophy title clash, East Zone captain Ishan Kishan has heaped praise on senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Shami played a pivotal role in guiding East Zone to the final after a 13-year hiatus by claiming five wickets in the semi-final against Central Zone. East Zone will face South Zone in the final match on Sunday.
Age is Just a Number: Ishan Kishan on Mohammed Shami's Fitness
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Shami is on the verge of playing the 100th first-class match of his career Appreciating his commitment, Ishan Kishan clarified that age does not hinder his performance on the field:
- Legendary Bowler: Ishan said, "Shami is one of the greats of the game. His performance has been outstanding ever since he started playing for Bengal. He gives his all for the team."
- Passion for Comeback: Speaking about Shami's fitness and hard work, he said, "I believe age is just a number. If someone is working hard, age doesn't matter. I see that same old passion in Shami *bhai*. His presence instills confidence in the entire team."
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Captain's Trust: Shami Asked for Extra Overs to Take Wickets
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Highlighting the 36-year-old Shami's dedication to the sport, the East Zone captain shared a specific anecdote from the semi-final match:
- Extra Responsibility: Ishan Kishan revealed that Shami wasn't bowling merely to complete his spell; he was proactively asking for extra overs with the aim of taking wickets.
- Positive Attitude: According to Ishan, "As a captain, I really appreciated this attitude. When a senior bowler takes initiative like that, it boosts the captain's confidence manifold. He still possesses a tremendous desire to make a comeback to the Indian team."
Road to India Comeback & Tilak Varma's Challenge
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Shami played his last match for India against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in Dubai. He has been out of the national team since then, but his recent performance in the Duleep Trophy is enough to catch the selectors' attention.
On the other hand, South Zone captain Tilak Varma acknowledged that facing Shami would not be easy, but his team is fully prepared for the challenge:
"Playing against Shami *bhai* will be a great challenge for us. We saw how he trapped batters with his clever bowling in the last match. However, we too have devised specific plans to counter his bowling."
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