Team India pacer has not played for the country for nearly 17 months. His last appearance was the victorious Champions Trophy final on March 9, 2025. Since then, the pacer has excelled at domestic level 37 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches last season and followed it up with 15 scalps in 7 Vijay Hazare Trophy games.
But it’s not caught the attention of BCCI Chief Selector and Team India Head Coach .
Childhood Coach’s Message for All Concerned
But Shami’s childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin has a message for the selectors and the coach. Shami has not given up hope to play for India again and his coach said that the fast bowler had lost five kilos since the previous season. He also feels that Shami would be an asset on the South African pitches for the ODI World Cup next year. Shami was the highest wicket-taker in the 2023 edition with 24 victims in seven appearances.
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Mohammed Shami Is Yearning to Play
“Shami’s mood is positive. He is quite motivated for the next season,” Badruddin told India Today.
Ready for Action
“He still has cricket left. He is ready, and if the country needs him, he will be ready to serve,” he added.
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The Value of Experience
“India did not bowl well in England, where the fast bowlers get a lot of help. Shami could have been really useful there. It is not easy to bowl in South Africa. You need experience there,” he went on to say.
Will Mohammed Shami Return to Team India?
The ODI World Cup is less than 14 months away. It remains to be seen if Shami comes on the radar of the selectors. If he stays fit and continues to shine domestically, he may actually manage a comeback. Of course, it’s easier said than done.