Shami, who played important roles in the 2023 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, last played for India in March 2025. Until last week, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami were in a similar position as far as the Indian cricket team was concerned. Both veterans, almost the same age, were out of the national team despite consistent performances at the domestic level. All that changed when the BCCI selectors named the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour. Bhuvneshwar Kumar made a comeback after four years, while Shami did not find a mention. Initially, injuries sidelined him. Though he recovered and played domestic cricket for Bengal, he has not been picked for the Indian side.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the chance to play for India, and that’s good for him,” Shami said, as quoted by RevSportz, when asked about his selection. “But his selection doesn’t concern me. Wherever I get the chance to play, I will give my best. Right now, my focus is firmly on this Ranji match. Recently, former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer also wondered why Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were not getting game time.
Because we have tried many players like Gurnoor Brar , Prasidh Krishna , and Nitish Reddy there, but I don’t think the management still has that confidence, i don’t know about the ODI team. My focus will be on Shami and Auqib Nabi whenever the team is announced.
Shami should be in the ODI team, given that the World Cup is also very near, according to me. My first choice would be Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj, and I will think about rebuilding after the World Cup,” he said. “Shami should be picked, especially in the Test team. You are not giving Siraj game time consistently. I don’t understand who your second and third seamers are. When you have that quality, you should play him. “I would like to see Shami make a comeback in Tests. I have been looking forward to it for a long time. If Shami is neglected here, I feel the door will be closed on him.
