Unclear future for Mohammed Shami in Indian cricket
Mohammed Shami may already have played his final match for India unless the BCCI chooses to extend him the same consideration given to senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. At 35, the fast bowler from Amroha appears closer to the end of his international career than its beginning. With no official clarity from selectors, the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025 could stand as his last appearance in national colours.
A career marked by resilience and big-match impact
Shami’s international journey has rarely been smooth. Injuries, fitness breaks and long gaps between appearances shaped his 13-year career. Off-field challenges also followed him into the public eye. Yet, whenever India needed breakthroughs, Shami often delivered. He has taken 462 international wickets and consistently performed in high-pressure tournaments. His 24 wickets at the 2023 World Cup, despite missing the first four matches, underlined his ability to rise on the biggest stage.
Selection confusion and lack of communication
Questions over Shami’s future intensified in October after chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressed doubts about his fitness. Shami pushed back publicly, saying it was not his role to provide fitness updates. The episode exposed confusion within the selection framework. If the decision-makers have chosen to move on, Shami deserves clarity. In 2022, Wriddhiman Saha revealed that Rahul Dravid had informed him directly about his international future. That transparency, though harsh, allowed dignity. Shami deserves the same respect after more than a decade of service.
Domestic form suggests Shami still belongs
Performance-wise, Shami continues to make a strong case. Since August, he has bowled 266.3 overs across formats for Bengal, claiming 52 wickets in 19 matches. In the Ranji Trophy, he bowled more overs than any teammate and picked up 20 wickets in four games. He followed that with solid returns in the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali trophies. Despite this, India have begun grooming alternatives like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep. While future planning is necessary, sidelining a fully fit Shami remains a puzzling call. Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, he still forms one of India’s most lethal bowling partnerships.
