I’m A Local Here, Will Have Home Advantage Vs KKR, Shami Tells Rahane

Kolkata: Fresh off his match-winning performance against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants pacer Mohammed Shami returns to ‘his’ home ground, Eden Gardens, to face Kolkata Knight Riders and issues a silent warning to the opposition.

Kolkata Knight Riders, who are in a difficult situation without a win after three matches, will play their third consecutive home match against Lucknow Super Giants on Thursday.

“You always have the home advantage when you play at Eden Gardens,” said Shami, speaking alongside Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane and assistant Rinku Singh at the launch of the third season of the Bengal Pro T20 League on Tuesday.

“You understand the conditions and pitch behavior because you’ve played there for a long time and spent a lot of time.

“So that benefit is always there. If I come here and play against KKR, being a ‘local’ will give me some advantages.”

The fast bowler produced a stunning 2/9, including 18 dot balls, as the Rishabh Pant-led team registered their first win of the season, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by five wickets in their previous match in Hyderabad.

Despite his consistent performance for Bengal after returning from injury, Shami remained out of the national team. He was among the top six wicket takers in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy and claimed 37 scalps at an impressive average of 16.72.

Shami also played a key role in Bengal’s progress to the semi-finals, including his outstanding performance of 8/90, but the team eventually lost to champions Jammu and Kashmir after taking the lead in the first innings.

“Hum mazdoor aadmi hain, humein bas ball daalni hai (we are like workers, we just have to keep bowling),” Shami quipped.

“There will be ups and downs in life – injuries and all – but you should never forget your hard work at ground level.

“If you chase too much of the ‘fancy stuff’, that becomes your weakness. Everyone is after social media these days.”

The Uttar Pradesh-born pacer reiterated his deep connection with Bengal, calling it ‘karm bhoomi’ and emphasizing that his hunger for the game remains intact.

“I was born into a farming family and I haven’t abandoned my roots. I still have that hunger as a player. If you want to play at that level again, you have to have that drive inside you.

“For me, domestic cricket is as important as any format. I always give priority to domestic cricket and I have always said this; even though I was born in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal is my ‘karm bhoomi’.

“Jab tak mere andar khelne ke liye jaan hai mein Bengal ke liye kheloonga (I will continue to play for Bengal as long as I have the strength and motivation within me),” he signed.