With Axar Patel ruled out of the remaining two T20Is against South Africa, Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has been named as his replacement, marking his return to the Indian squad after more than two years. Shahbaz, who has been stellar as usual for Bengal this season in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy following his return from a long injury layoff, has earned this reward and will look to make his mark for the Men in Blue.
Shahbaz has taken 22 wickets while scoring 300 runs, including a century, in four matches of the Ranji Trophy this season. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was used as a defensive bowling option as Bengal crashed out of the group stage.
“It (call-up) is not surprising. I always believed that if I perform well, I will play for India again,” Shahbaz, who last played for India in the Asian Games, told Revsportz. “I was practicing in the morning when I received the call. I am very happy and excited to join the squad. If I get a shot at the playing XI, I’ll give my best to make the team win.”
Having recovered from a sports hernia and a subsequent shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost the entire previous season, Shahbaz once again emerged as Bengal’s rescuer-in-chief with both bat and ball, helping them top their group in the first phase of the Ranji Trophy. However, the time away from cricket was not easy for the left-hand all-rounder.
“It was challenging,” he said. “It was a long period out. It is never easy to stay away from the game when the season is on but thanks to CAB for taking care of my surgery and to Lucknow Super Giants for taking care of my rehab. They stood beside me in tough times. I have worked on my fitness. I just want to stay fit and perform like this.”
Though Shahbaz made his ODI debut in 2022, he was also part of the Asian Games gold medal-winning side in Hangzhou. “The main reason, I think, why I didn’t feature for India regularly after Asian Games, is because of my injuries,” said Shahbaz. “Over the last two years, I haven’t played that much cricket. I believe that if a player is fit and is playing the entire season, and if he is performing, then 100% the selectors keep an eye on him. It’s such a big tournament, Ranji Trophy. My focus is to stay fit and keep performing.”
What were the learnings from his last stint with the Indian team? “I remember, I was over the moon when I first got the India call up in 2022,” he quipped. “I enjoyed playing with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and others. I feel very proud. It’s everyone’s dream to play for India. But I hope to break into the Test team as well. Playing and helping India win Test matches would be a different feeling.
“Playing for India takes a player to the next level. You learn many things. Game plan, mindset to perform at a good level. There are many things. There’s always a scope of improvement.”
Shahbaz will turn up for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026, linking up with bowling coach Bharat Arun. “I have heard plenty of good things about Bharat Arun sir,” he said. “Looking forward to learning from him.”
But as an all-rounder who has often been used as an impact player in the IPL, what does Shahbaz think about the rule?
“Many things have changed in the IPL because of an impact player,” Shahbaz said. Since the time impact player rule has come, teams go heavy with specialised batters and bowlers. The role of all-rounders has reduced. Batters are getting more freedom. There is no pressure on them. There is a lot of pressure on bowlers. Any batsman can hit one or two balls at any time. The wickets are very good in IPL. The value of all-rounders has been reduced. There are teams that utilise all-rounders well. I believe that since the impact player has come, there is no pressure on batters. In the middle overs, if you take two wickets back to back, batters don’t feel the pressure. If there is no impact player in international cricket, I don’t think it should be there in the IPL. It doesn’t allow a young all-rounders to groom his game at the top level.”
When India take the field for the fourth T20I against South Africa in Lucknow on Wednesday, Shahbaz will be back in blue and facing the team he made his international debut against. “I want to play for India,” said Shahbaz. “I’ll give my best shot if I play. Fitness is paramount, the rest I know will take care of itself.”
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news
