A win behind him, fresh off sealing victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, fast bowler Mohammed Shami walks back onto familiar soil – Eden Gardens – as Lucknow Super Giants prepare to meet Kolkata Knight Riders. Quiet but firm, he hints at trouble ahead for those facing him. Struggling without a single win through three attempts, Kolkata Knight Riders host the clash Thursday, marking their third consecutive outing on home turf

Home ground means something special, Shami mentioned Tuesday. That edge shows up when matches happen at Eden Gardens. He stood beside Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane and vice-captain Rinku Singh. The moment came during launch events for the third edition of Bengal Pro T20 League.

Spending years on that field gives you a feel for how things unfold. The way the ball reacts comes clear after so much time playing under those skies. Being around long enough shows what to expect when the sun hits the turf just right.

The edge sticks around every time. When I step onto this ground to face KKR, knowing the conditions gives me a quiet upper hand. That quick bowler delivered a sharp 2/9, firing through 18 dots, helping Rishabh Pant’s group grab their opening victory of the campaign – five wickets sealing it over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad last outing

Even after strong showings for Bengal post-recovery, Shami hasn’t found a place back in the national setup. Among the leading bowlers in the recent Ranji Trophy, he took 37 wickets – his average just 16.72.

Few matches saw Shami bowl as sharply as he did during Bengal’s push toward the semis. His 8/90 stood out, one of those spells that lifts a game. Still, despite seizing control early with a first-innings advantage, collapse followed. The win slipped away – Jammu and Kashmir proved too steady when it counted.

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

Falling down happens – broken bones included – yet staying true to how you started matters most. What built you stays underneath everything else.

Chasing flashy rewards? That can drag you down. Social platforms consume most people today. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, the fast bowler spoke of Bengal as where he truly belongs – his karm bhoomi – showing how deeply cricket still drives him.

“Jab tak mere andar khelne ke liye jaan hai mein Bengal ke liye kheloonga (as long as I have the strength and motivation in me, I will keep playing for Bengal),” he signed off.