Bengal's pace-bowling coach Shib Shankar Paul has said that Mohammed Shami was so hungry to return to international cricket that he was willing to bowl even after a game was over and let go of his favourite biryani to ensure full fitness. Shami has been named in India's team for the upcoming five-match T20Is against England, besides the ODI series and the Champions Trophy.

Paul has praised Shami's hunger for making an international comeback. The star pacer is all set to play his first international game after a year and two months against England at his home ground in Kolkata.

After staying out for a while, Shami represented Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy before being named in the Indian team.

"Fast bowlers take time to return from injuries. He was so hungry to return that he wanted to bowl even after finishing a game. This is a great dedication from a sportsman," Paul told Sportsboom.com.

"Few players want to bowl for 30 to 45 more minutes after a game. He was also the first to reach the ground at 6 am, before the team reached, on match days during the domestic T20s," Paul added.

The Bengal coach revealed that Shami let go of his favourite biryani and had not eaten it over the last two months. Paul said how the India pacer was on a very strict diet.

"He was on a strict diet. I saw him eating only one meal a day. He loves having biryani, but I haven't seen him indulging in it in the last two months since he returned to action," Paul said.

Shami's last international game was the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia. As Team India gathered for their white-ball series opener against England, the spotlight during the intense three-hour practice session on Sunday, January 19 was on Shami.

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