Mohammed Shami refuted any doubts about his fitness on the eve of Bengal's first game of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, saying he wouldn't be playing four-day cricket if he wasn't feeling right.

Shami, who recently turned 35, last played for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy in March. The team has since gone on a Test tour of England, won the Asia Cup T20Is and swept West Indies 2-0 to kick off the new home season. It was in response to India excluding him from their upcoming assignment - a white-ball tour of Australia starting later this month - that Shami said, "if I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket."

"Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn't be here playing for Bengal," the fast bowler was quoted as saying by PTI on T

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