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.
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.
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.