Even though Shams Mulani missed out on the Duleep Trophy for the first round, he was not too annoyed. But as soon as he got a chance, he made the most of it. In the very first match that he played for India A, he was the top scorer with 89 runs and also took four wickets to ensure the team’s victory over India D. In the following match against India C, he contributed with a key innings of 44 runs and also took three wickets.
After completing day four of the Irani Cup, Mulani spoke of the fact that selection was ‘not in his hands’.
I understand that in due course of time, which did happen in the last two Duleep matches, I know that sooner rather than later comes the time for me with opportunities. I know that the Mumbaikars know how to seize that. And that’s what is in our blood. I guess that is how I felt because I was feeling a bit disappointed that I was left out. But that is actually expected. That is how the dynamics of the selection go. Today you get to play, tomorrow you do not… and give a thumbs down to the picking of two basic instincts of Mulani who scalped two key bats including Abhi Easwaran and closetime keeper Dhruv Jurel. On the domestic circuit, Shams Mulani has been a winner with 35 wickets and 300 runs in the last three Ranji Trophy seasons. In the last season, he took 35 wickets and made 353 runs. According to his statistics in 2022-23 he took 46 wickets and made 406 runs sprinting with a peak at 45 scalps in 3341 runs in 2021-22.
The addition of the national cap in his career is getting closer, but age 27 is taking the attention on the individual’s performance. “My aim as always is to contribute to the success of the team. Individual targets may come and leave, but the most important is the team’s success. As for me personally I would want to do the same thing that I am doing for the past three seasons where I have been taking wickets and scoring runs. I must be ready for whatever opportunity I get. I need to take wickets and score runs…one must be indeedopena nd must keep knocking the doors.” said Mulani.
