New Delhi:Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were left out of India’s squads for the upcoming West Indies series, and former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes the latest selections could signal that the two veterans may need to reconsider their international ambitions.
Chopra pointed to the opportunities being handed to younger fast bowlers across India’s ODI and T20I setups.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads on Wednesday for India’s home series against the West Indies. The teams will play three ODIs and five T20Is, beginning on September 27.
Neither Shami nor Bhuvneshwar was included in the squads. Their omissions come despite both having recent cricketing achievements, with Bhuvneshwar having played a key role for IPL 2026 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Shami continuing to feature prominently in domestic cricket.
Chopra points to changing fast-bowling options
Chopra said the latest selection decisions could carry significance for both players.
“From the T20I perspective, you could have thought about Bhuvi. From the ODI perspective, you could have thought about Mohammed Shami. But you are not thinking about them,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel, as quoted by NDTV.
According to Chopra, the growing number of opportunities being given to younger players makes the situation increasingly difficult for the two experienced pacers.
He specifically referred to the inclusion of Auqib Nabi in the ODI squad and Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav in the T20I setup. Chopra said the absence of both Shami and Bhuvneshwar despite these squad changes was something the veterans may have to accept.
“I think it tells us something. This is probably something we need to accept, make peace with, and keep moving on,” Chopra said.
His comments represent his assessment of the current selection landscape rather than an official statement from the BCCI about either player’s international future.
Bhuvneshwar impressed during IPL 2026
Bhuvneshwar’s omission is notable because he had an important campaign during IPL 2026.
The experienced seamer took 28 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who went on to win the tournament. His performances meant there was renewed discussion around his prospects for a return to India’s T20I setup.
However, he was not selected for the five-match T20I series against the West Indies.
India’s T20I squad includes a number of younger and relatively newer pace options. Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav were included, while Arshdeep Singh remains part of the squad.
The selection indicates that India’s T20I setup is continuing to provide opportunities to emerging players alongside established names.
Shami reaches 100 first-class matches
While Shami was again absent from India’s international squads, the veteran recently reached another significant milestone in domestic cricket.
The fast bowler played his 100th first-class match during the Duleep Trophy 2026 final for East Zone. Shami described the achievement as special and spoke about the sacrifices involved in reaching the landmark.
“100th match is always special,” Shami said in a video shared by BCCI Domestic.
He explained that playing 100 first-class matches had been a long-term dream, involving representing his state, competing in different conditions and continuing to take wickets.
Shami was 21 when East Zone won their maiden Duleep Trophy title in 2012. Fourteen years later, he was part of the East Zone side that won the tournament for a third time.
Shami’s international return remains uncertain
Shami has not played for India since 2025 and was not included in the ODI squad for the West Indies series.
The ODI squad contains several pace options, including Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi. The selectors have also included Nitish Kumar Reddy as a seam-bowling all-rounder.
The inclusion of Nabi is particularly relevant to Chopra’s comments. Nabi has received his maiden ODI call-up after building a strong record in List A cricket.
The 24-year-old has taken 56 wickets in 36 List A matches, according to the selection context reported by NDTV in its coverage of India’s West Indies squads.
West Indies series begins on September 27
India’s three-match ODI series against the West Indies begins on September 27 in Thiruvananthapuram. The second ODI will be played in Guwahati on September 30, followed by the third match in New Chandigarh on October 3.
The five-match T20I series will follow the ODIs.
India’s latest selections also include major changes in other departments. Naman Dhir and Auqib Nabi received maiden ODI call-ups, while Ravindra Jadeja returned to the ODI squad. KL Rahul has been named vice-captain in the absence of Shreyas Iyer.
In the T20I squad, Shreyas Iyer will lead the side, with Tilak Varma as vice-captain. Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and several other established and emerging players form part of the group.
Younger players get opportunities
The latest squads underline the competition for places in India’s fast-bowling group.
Alongside established options, the selectors have brought in players such as Mayank Yadav, Prince Yadav and Auqib Nabi. Their inclusion comes as India continues to develop its pool of fast bowlers across formats.
For Shami and Bhuvneshwar, the immediate focus will now be on domestic and franchise cricket unless they receive another international opportunity.
Bhuvneshwar’s 28-wicket IPL season and Shami’s 100th first-class appearance remain notable recent achievements, but neither was enough to secure a place in India’s squads for the West Indies series.
Chopra’s comments have therefore added another layer to the discussion around the international futures of two experienced Indian pacers. The BCCI has not announced any retirement decision involving either player, leaving their future international availability open.