Ace-pacer Mohammed Shami was part of the 2025 Champions Trophy-winning squad. On docile surfaces, he managed to put on decent bowling performances, but his craft was put to the test on flat Hyderabad wickets during the Indian Premier League 2025 season, in which Shami ended up on the wrong side of things and injured himself at the end of the tournament. Although he returned to the Bengal side in domestic cricket and started playing, the veteran was ignored for the marquee Test tour of England. On Saturday, the ODI squad for the series against New Zealand was announced, and the right-arm quick was not part of the unit yet again.
Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan questioned the non-selection of Shami in the Indian squad.
“The biggest talking point is Mohammed Shami. What is his future? He’s not someone who came yesterday, played a few matches and left. He has taken 450-500 international wickets, which is a huge number. If you have taken more than 400 wickets and then you get dropped and questions are raised about your fitness – that happens with everyone. As long as you play cricket, you have to keep proving yourself,” said Irfan on his YouTube channel.
Mohammed Shami of India during the 2nd ODI match between India and England held at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, India on the 9th February 2025. (Sportzpics)
“But Shami has already bowled 200 overs. After bowling 200 overs, if fitness is the question, then fitness has already been shown. What more improvement is needed, only the selection committee knows what they are thinking,” Irfan said.
Irfan suggested that Shami needs to have a good IPL. “If I were him, I would go and play the IPL and create havoc. I would take the new ball and perform at such a level. Domestic cricket performances are discussed, but when the IPL comes and you show your old rhythm and fitness, then no one can ignore you. The whole world watches the IPL. If you perform there, you make your place in the squad again. I believe his doors should not be closed,” he added.
