New Delhi: For over a decade, Mohammed Shami has been India’s go-to man whenever the team needed breakthroughs in tough conditions. But now as he toils in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, questions are being asked whether his decision to skip the England tour earlier this year quietly shut the door on his India comeback?
The 35-year-old has bowled close to 100 overs in the ongoing domestic season and yet his future in the national colours looks uncertain. Since his last appearance in the Champions Trophy in March, he has not featured for India in any format. His long recovery from a heel injury has kept him out for months. But even after regaining match fitness, a national call-up hasn’t arrived and it might not anytime soon.
The current direction of Indian cricket doesn’t seem to favour veterans with injury concerns. Younger pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep have stepped up while the team management looks more inclined toward grooming long-term options. With the next ODI World Cup still two years away, it’s unlikely the selectors will plan around a 37-year-old with a history of recurring knee and heel issues.
England chapter and communication gap
While Shami publicly hinted that there was “no communication” from the selectors, insiders in the BCCI have painted a different picture. According to board officials, the selection committee and support staff were in regular touch with him earlier this year, even urging him to make himself available for the England series when Jasprit Bumrah’s workload had to be managed carefully.
A senior BCCI official even told PTI that one of the selectors had messaged Shami multiple times, asking him to play at least one India A match against Lions to assess his Test readiness. But Shami reportedly replied that he needed more time to build his workload and preferred not to be considered for the series.
That decision though, seemed understandable from a fitness standpoint but seemed to have hurt his chances. In a system that values availability and recent match exposure, skipping such opportunities can be seen as a lack of intent. Who wouldn’t want Shami in English conditions?” said the board official, highlighting the selectors’ initial eagerness to have him on the tour.
Even as Shami continues to turn out for Bengal, concerns about his long-term durability persist. Observers even noted that his pace has dipped often hovering around 130 kmph instead of his usual 135-140 range. He has also been operating in shorter spells typically four over a time and taking extended breaks during the day’s play. For a Test-level workload that raises doubts about whether his body can hold up across long spells in trying conditions.
Shami sat out Bengal’s latest Ranji match against Railways but is expected to return for the next fixture against Assam in Kalyani starting from November 16. He is also eyeing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy not just for form but to attract interest ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
For now, the veteran remains one of India’s finest ever fast bowlers on paper. But he needs to prove his fitness and intent on the field if he wants his journey back into the national setup may stay stuck in the shadows of what could have been.