One wonders if Shami will wear India’s jersey again. His most recent game came in March 2025. After topping India’s charts in the 2023 World Cup with wickets, chances dried up. Not because of form – rather, injuries crept in. Then selection choices shifted direction too. Balance mattered more than a single name on paper. So gaps widened between appearances. Time passed quietly. Now silence fills the space once held by pace and swing. Out on Tuesday came news: Shami missed out for the India versus Afghanistan games in June. Fitness concerns led the way – BCCI lead selector Ajit Agarkar said Mohammed Shami didn’t come up during talks about either the Test or ODI teams because his body isn’t ready yet for extended play.
It turns out Shami’s current routine focuses on preparing for T20 matches, even though he has played domestic games this year. That detail, known to the selection panel, meant he wasn’t under serious consideration. His path forward seems shaped more by format priorities than recent appearances.
“Yeah, I mean no, because as far as we’ve been told, at this point his body is allowing him to… I know he’s played the domestic season and all that this year, but from the information that I’ve got is that at this point, you know, T20 cricket is what he’s sort of ready for, yeah? I mean, so no, there was no discussion regarding his name,” Agarkar told the reporters.
The last time he turned up for India was back in March 2025 during an ODI game. Right now, playing the IPL 2026 season, Mohammed Shami’s tally stands at 10 wickets across 12 games – his runs per over average sits just under 9.
Ex-India player Wasim Jaffer called the reason for leaving out Shami complete nonsense.
Truth is, this talk makes no sense. One man carried his team all year long – forty wickets on the board already. What else does anyone want? Mentioning him means something different – we’re speaking of Mohammed Shami here. Not some nameless face. This bowler pulled off wins when things looked dead. Back at the 2023 World Cup final, he led our team. Yet now, overlooking Mohammed Shami feels wrong. Instead of picking him, they ask him to return to local matches first, show his shape again. Watch – after doing well there, still they claim he suits only short games. Funny how that works – one strong showing later, and suddenly it’s not enough. Hard not to think this is just a cover-up for leaving him out. If you leave him out, just admit it – state clearly, ‘We have overlooked him.’ That’s honest. Coming off leading Bengal alone into the Ranji Trophy semi-final, especially how he drove the entire bowling attack,” Jaffer mentioned on his YouTube channel.
Jaffer went on to compare Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. “For example, what if Bumrah gets injured and then comes back? Would you treat him the same way? Mohammed Shami is in the same bracket. Go and ask any international batter, and they would rank him on top. It’s disrespectful for the service he has provided to India,” he said
