Shams Mulani, the left-arm spinner from Mumbai, has consistently delivered outstanding performances in domestic cricket over the past four seasons, boasting an impressive tally of 170 wickets and 1,248 runs in the Ranji Trophy. Despite these compelling numbers, he was recently overlooked for the India ‘A’ multi-day games against Australia ‘A’.
Undeterred by the snub, Mulani showcased his capabilities with a patient 91 runs off 161 balls, playing a pivotal role in Mumbai reaching a strong total of 386 on Day Two of their Ranji match against Jammu & Kashmir. The Mumbai native expresses disappointment but chooses to let his on-field skills speak for themselves rather than dwell on grievances.
His consistency across both batting and bowling departments has been remarkable. In the 2021-22 Ranji season, he topped the wicket-taking charts while also contributing 321 runs. The following season (2022-23), he was the second-highest wicket-taker with 46 scalps and added 209 runs. He maintained this impressive form in 2023-24, securing 34 wickets and scoring 353 runs, in addition to his 44 wickets and 365 runs in the current 2024-25 season.
Mulani consciously avoids engaging in discussions about his non-selection. Instead, he dedicates himself to the present season, approaching each game as a fresh start, as if erasing past achievements. "In my mind, my job is to keep performing," Mulani states. "In cricket, you can get that chance any moment, and I must be ready for that. I keep improving myself so that I’m ready when I step up. For the last four-five months, I have been working on upgrading my skills. After that, whatever happens, happens, but I shouldn’t fall short on effort."
Throughout his journey, Mulani has consistently defied expectations. When he first debuted for Mumbai in a T20 match in the 2017-18 season, he was largely seen as a white-ball specialist. Although his Ranji debut the next season wasn’t spectacular, his relentless fighting spirit and unwavering determination led him to meticulously refine his red-ball game. This commitment bore fruit in 2019-20 when he snared 26 wickets, establishing himself as Mumbai’s primary red-ball spinner.
Having experienced the highs and lows of a cricketing career, Mulani has developed a robust mindset that prevents him from getting disheartened by non-selection. "Throughout my career, I’ve come across people who felt I didn’t have it in me to keep performing well. So, my mindset has always been to prove people wrong, and that starts with me itself," he explains. "When I had just made it to the Mumbai team, there was a perception that I’m a white-ball bowler. Then I changed my mindset, improved my red-ball skills, broke into the Mumbai Ranji team and did well." He emphasizes that patience is paramount, as a player’s role is to perform and then move on. "When you deliver, at the back of your mind you always think of getting selected. But then you look at someone like Sarfaraz Khan, who got an opportunity after performing over a long period. So, I keep his example in front of me and keep telling myself to keep performing. The chance will come when it has to come, but for that, I can’t keep thinking that I have done so much and I should get an opportunity."
Mulani acknowledges the unpredictable nature of cricket. "In cricket, there are no guarantees. Somehow, I didn’t fit in the India ‘A’ side this time, but there is always a next time. Whichever the competition…Ranji, Duleep…I need to keep showing that I’m performing and helping the team win," he adds. In an era where domestic teams increasingly rely on video analysis to decipher opponents’ strategies, Mulani recognizes the imperative for continuous evolution. He believes every bowler must constantly expand their arsenal to stay one step ahead.
Detailing his process, Mulani explains, "I sit down with my coaches and analyze where I performed better, how can it be improved further. What are my weak spots, how can it be improved? How can you tweak your plan midway through the game if a batter is playing you well? The idea is to think on your feet and outsmart them. If you have multiple options up your sleeves, it will help you in the long run. Using your head out there helps, and I thrive on that."
With another strong start to the season, Mulani remains dedicated to his craft, continuing to put in the hard yards and patiently await his deserved call-up.