Mohammed Shami hasn’t played for India since March. Can he find a way back into the selectors' plans?
Since his debut in 2013, Shami has been a prolific servant for India and is already in the country's top five wicket-takers list among pacers. While he has taken 229 Test wickets at an average of 27.11, it is his ODI numbers – 206 wickets at 24.05 – that set him apart. Only Mitchell Starc has taken more wickets – 223 – than him since his debut in 2013.
Shami is also joint second-fastest to 200 ODI wickets. His highlight was the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he picked up 24 wickets at an average of 10.70, including three five-wicket hauls and a four-for in seven matches. Despite India facing a heartbreak against Australia in the final, Shami’s performance was one for the ages.
However, since his dream run, Shami has fallen out of favour and has barely played international cricket in the last two years.
What led to Shami’s prolonged absence from the India team?
Since suffering an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup final in November 2023, Shami was out of action for nearly a year. He underwent surgery in February 2024 and began his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, bowling regularly in the nets.
Just before India’s squad for the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was announced, reports emerged that Shami was in doubt for the tour due to a swollen knee, which he publicly denied. However, he was ultimately left out of the squad.
Shami finally made his return to cricket in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November 2024, taking match figures of 7-156 – though he was reportedly struggling with his ankle during the match.
Later, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shami took 14 wickets at an average of 23.50 and an economy rate of 8.02. These strong white-ball performances earned him a recall to the Indian side for the limited-overs series against England in early 2025. He took three wickets at an average of 16.67 in two T20Is and 2-104 from two ODIs.
With Jasprit Bumrah injured, India entrusted Shami with a spot in the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, despite him still looking somewhat rusty. Although he finished as India's joint-highest wicket-taker, Shami was inconsistent. He took five of his nine wickets in the opening match against Bangladesh, after which he averaged 45 at an economy of 5.80.
India won the trophy by beating New Zealand in the final, but Shami had an ordinary outing, leaking 1-74 in nine overs. That match, held in March, remains his last appearance for India to date.
The tournament was followed by a poor IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Returning after missing the previous year, he managed just six wickets from nine matches at an average of 56.16 and an economy rate of 11.23. The lowest point was when he conceded 75 runs against Punjab Kings, recording the second-most expensive bowling figures in IPL history.
Shami breaks silence on India team exclusion
As India announced the squad for the Australia tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said he had no update on Shami's fitness, reasoning that the bowler's lack of match practice led to his continued exclusion. Shami dismissed Agarkar's claims.
"I have said this before, selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal," Firstpost quoted Shamiahead of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign opener against Uttarakhand
He added: "My job is to go to the NCA, prepare and play matches. That’s their matter who gives them updates or not."
Since the Champions Trophy final, India have played 22 matches across formats. Shami has not featured in any of them. During this period, India have used 11 different seamers, with Shami not being in the squad in any of the five series.
Agarkar responds to Shami's remarks
Agarkar said that although India were keen to have him in the side, Shami's fitness issues have led to his continued exclusion.
"If he says that to me, I will probably answer that. I mean if he was here, I would probably do that," Agarkar said at the NDTV World Summit 2025 on Friday. "I am not quite sure what he said on social media. Maybe if I read that, I might give him a call but my phone is always on for most players. I have had multiple chats with him over the last few months, but I don't want to try and give you a headline here.
"He has been an incredible performer for India. If he said something, maybe that is a conversation for me to have with him or him to have with me. But even before England, we said if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn't.
"Our domestic season has just started so we will see if he is fit enough and we will see where it goes. This is the first round of Ranji games that is going on. We will find out in a couple of more games.
"If he is bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like a Shami? But what we have found in the last six-eight months to a year, even during the Australia tour, we were desperate to have him on, but unfortunately his fitness wasn't there. If he does stay fit over the next few months, the story might be different. But at this point, as far as I know, he wasn't fit enough for that England tour."
After the match, Shami doubled down on his dig at Agarkar: "Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes."
At 35, the current domestic season is key for Shami to force his way back into the India team. He has certainly made a statement with figures of 3-37 and 4-38 in Bengal's recent win against Uttarakhand(though six of the seven wickets were of tail-enders).
India next play South Africa at home from November 14. A few more strong outings might open the door for him.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
