Mohammed Shami should return to the Indian team in all formats, according to former captain Sourav Ganguly, who believes the talented pacer is “fit and is bowling exceptionally well.”
The 35-year-old bowler, who last participated in the Champions Trophy in March, has been overlooked for the forthcoming two-Test series against South Africa, suggesting that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has moved on from him.
“Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit and we saw in the three Ranji Trophy matches, where he’s won Bengal on his own,” Ganguly said on Monday.
Before going wicketless against Tripura, Shami took 15 wickets to help Bengal win their first two Ranji Trophy games. This season, he has bowled 91 overs in three games.
After finishing as the top wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup with 24 wickets at an average of 10.70, the seasoned bowler had ankle surgery.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching and there is a communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammad Shami we know of.”
“So, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches, One-day cricket and T20 cricket for India. Because that skill is enormous,” Ganguly said.
Since India won’t have any red-ball assignments for the next six months, it’s unclear if Shami has already participated in his final Test match, which was the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023.
Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep are now essential components of the pace attack in the longer format. Shami’s ongoing injury problems may have an influence on the selectors for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is still two years away.
