Mohammed Shami’s comeback in Indian Team getting ‘increasingly tougher’

Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian team remains on hold, as the veteran pacer was once again left out of the squad for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia. The tour, beginning October 19, will see India play three ODIs followed by five T20Is. Though optimistic about a return, Shami has been snubbed yet again, with the BCCI being reportedly unwilling to look at him for future outings particularly after his disappointing performance in the Duleep Trophy last month.

The 35-year-old, who was also left out for the Asia Cup, had gone on record recently with his willingness to wear Indian colours once more and is looking to find a place in the 2027 ODI World Cup team. Shami has said he is ready to go the domestic way through the Ranji Trophy to make his case. In the early part of the year, he showed he still possesses the firepower for the 50-over game, taking nine wickets in five games at the Champions Trophy the highest among Indian bowlers in the competition, at an average of 25.89.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was asked about Shami during the Australia team announcement, but he didn’t give any information saying there was “no update” on the pacer. The board’s hesitation to recall Shami, as per The Telegraph, is based on both his age and recent performance. His sole outing this home season was in the Duleep Trophy, where he took just one wicket for 136 runs in 34 overs for East Zone in Bengaluru an outing that invited questions about his suitability at the highest level.

“At this moment, it’s getting increasingly tougher for Shami to return to the Indian team. In the Duleep game too, he wasn’t too impressive, barring one odd spell.

“Besides, he isn’t getting any younger, while pace-wise, too, he didn’t seem to be at his best in Duleep. But to continue in the IPL, he has to play a decent amount of domestic games,” a BCCI official said.

Despite the setback, Shami has declared his availability for Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign, which begins on October 15 against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens. The final decision on his inclusion, however, rests with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), which is expected to finalise the squad in a meeting on Tuesday. “We’ll sit with Laxmi [Ratan Shukla] and go over everything in detail, most likely on Tuesday,” a senior CAB official confirmed.

“I had spoken to Shami six-seven days back, and he had expressed his desire to play. So, on our front, we’re optimistic as far as his availability (in the Ranji opener) is concerned,” Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said.