Mohammed Shami may have slipped out of the selectors’ plans for now, but the experienced fast bowler is not ready to give up on playing for India again.
The 35-year-old has been performing well for Bengal in domestic cricket and has featured across all formats to prove both his form and fitness. Even so, he continues to miss out on national selection.
The selectors are still unsure whether Shami can handle the physical demands of Test cricket. Recently, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that, at the moment, the veteran pacer is fit enough only for T20 cricket.
As expected, Shami was not included in India’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, with injuries affecting several frontline fast bowlers, many believe the team could benefit from bringing back a bowler of his experience.
Shami’s coach, Badruddin Siddiqui, said the pacer remains highly motivated and is ready whenever India calls him back.
“Shami is in a positive frame of mind. He is fully motivated for the upcoming season,” Badruddin told India Today.
Not long ago, Shami was India’s standout performer during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he dismantled batting line-ups with remarkable consistency. At that time, it was hard to imagine he would soon be out of the national setup despite staying fit and continuing to perform.
His last appearance for India came in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy in March, meaning he has now been away from international cricket for more than a year.
“Shami still has a lot of cricket left in him. He is ready, and whenever the country needs him, he will be prepared to serve,” Badruddin added.
The coach also pointed to India’s struggles with the ball during the recent ODI series in England, saying Shami’s experience could have made a big difference. He believes the veteran pacer can still play an important role, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
“India’s fast bowlers didn’t perform well in England, even though the conditions suited them. Shami could have been very useful there. Bowling in South Africa is never easy, and that’s where experience matters,” Badruddin said.