Mohammed Shami’s name appears to be slowly fading away from the Indian cricket team.
Despite his impressive performance for Bengal in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy, the selectors did not include him in the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa. This neglect of a senior player like Shami has come as a surprise.
Shami’s brilliance in Ranji, but his absence from the team
Shami played three matches for Bengal this season and took 15 wickets. His old fire seemed to have returned, with pace, swing, and everything perfect. However, the team management chose to focus on younger bowlers in Test cricket.
Shami was also not included in the India A squad for the three-match ODI series against South Africa A. A Cricblogger report suggests that head coach Gautam Gambhir is not keen on bringing Shami back into the Test team.
Sources say, “Gautam Gambhir wants to invest in a young pace attack that can serve Indian cricket for years to come.”
The selectors wanted to recall Shami for the South Africa Tests, but Gambhir flatly refused. Surprisingly, Shami’s Bengal teammate, Akash Deep, was selected for the home Test series.
Shami’s experience and record made him the number one pick, but that didn’t happen. People began to say that a senior player like Shami shouldn’t receive such treatment.
Gambhir’s youth strategy and Shami’s uncertainty
Shami has continued training and is in form, but his lack of interaction with the team has bothered him. He withdrew from the fourth Ranji Trophy match due to personal commitments. Rumors are also swirling that Shami’s Test career may be quietly ending.
Although Shami has been India’s most dangerous bowler in recent years, both at home and abroad, adept at destroying the top order in Tests, people are finding this treatment unbearable.
Mohammed Siraj has now become Jasprit Bumrah’s new partner, and the team management has no complaints with the current pace attack. Shami, 34, has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 206 in 108 ODIs, and 27 in 25 T20Is for India.
He last played in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the UAE. He had a decent IPL 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Shami’s fitness is now under question, but his Ranji performance proves he’s still fit. The team management is focusing on youth, which appears to be part of a long-term plan.
