Mohammed Shami, who may have already bowled 93 overs in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, is unlikely to feature in India`s Test set-up up and his chances of donning the ODI jersey also look diminished.
His last appearance for Team India came during the Champions Trophy 2025 in March, and since then has not been included in any format`s team. He had endured a lengthy layoff from the game after the heel injury in 2023, which required surgery after the World Cup.
Considering the direction that Indian cricket is moving, it is unlikely that Shami will be playing more international matches. So far, he has represented the “Men in Blue” in 197 international matches.
He has fallen off the radar in both Test and T20I cricket, where Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep have rapidly gone up the ladder.
The only format seemingly left for him is ODI. But given that the next one-day World Cup is in 2027, it wouldn`t be particularly prudent to travel with a 37-year-old with a history of career-threatening injuries, including a knee problem.
Shami has not exactly been pleased with the national selectors and has gone on record to say that they have not communicated with him. However, sources in the BCCI say that it may not be the correct picture.
“There have been multiple times that national selectors and support staff from the BCCI Centre of Excellence have called to check on Shami. The selection committee was desperate to get his services in England as Jasprit Bumrah could not have played more than three Tests,” a senior board official told PTI.
The pacer then responded by saying he still needs time to prepare and should not be considered for the England series.
“Who wouldn`t want a bowler of his calibre in English conditions?” he added, referring to the series that India ultimately drew 2-2 earlier this year.
It is also learnt that one of the senior members of the selection committee has sent messages to Shami, enquiring about his fitness. He also requested the pacer to play at least one India A game against England Lions.
Currently, the pacer may think that he is ready to play in the ODIs, but whether he fits in any of the roles is something that only selectors can decide.
Additionally, considering his history of knee injuries, there are higher chances of the pacer breaking down in the middle of the Test match.
The 35-year-old pacer did not participate in Bengal`s ongoing match against Railways in Surat after featuring in the first three matches. He is expected to feature in the home match against Assam, which is scheduled to begin on November 16.
The upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will also be a crucial tournament for Shami, where he will aim to impress prospective bidders for another lucrative deal at the IPL auctions in December.
(With PTI Inputs)