New Delhi: Mohammed Shami’s wait to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team is growing longer as he has been left out for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and five T20Is and is set to begin on October 19. Although the experienced remains hopeful of returning through strong performance in the Ranji Trophy, the BCCI appears reluctant to recall him, specially after his disappointing outing in the Duleep Trophy ast month.
Agarkar remained silent when asked about Shami’s return
A few days after being left out of the Asia Cup squad, Shami confessed that he dreams of making a comeback to the Indian side, with the aim to be picked in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Earlier this year, he had an impressive Champions Trophy campaign as he grabbed nine wickets in five games at 25.89, the joint-highest for India. However, when chief selector Ajit Agarkar was questioned about Shami during the announcement of the squad for the Australia tour, he simply stated that there was “no update” on the pacer.
BCCI is unlikely to consider Shami for a comeback
According to a report in The Telegraph, the BCCI is unlikely to consider Shami for a comeback, not only due to his age 35, but also because of his recent decline in form. His sole appearance in the ongoing domestic season came in the Duleep Trophy, where he had an underwhelming figures of 1/136 from 34 overs while playing for East Zone in Bengaluru.
“At this moment, it’s getting increasingly tougher for Shami to return to the Indian team. In the Duleep game too, he wasn’t too impressive, barring one odd spell.”
“Besides, he isn’t getting any younger, while pace-wise, too, he didn’t seem to be at his best in Duleep. But to continue in the IPL, he has to play a decent amount of domestic games,” a BCCI official said.
Shami has opted to feature in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign
The report also mentioned that Shami has opted to feature in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign, starting on October 15, against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens.
“I had spoken to Shami six-seven days back, and he had expressed his desire to play. So, on our front, we’re optimistic as far as his availability (in the Ranji opener) is concerned,” Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said.
However, the final decision will rest with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) which will convene on Tuesday to finalise the squad for the opening matches, “We’ll sit with Laxmi and discuss all the related aspects most likely on Tuesday,” a senior CAB office-bearer said.
Story Highlight
- Mohammed Shami’s wait to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team is growing longer as he has been left out for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia series.
- Shami confessed that he dreams of making a comeback to the Indian side, with the aim to be picked in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad.
- When chief selector Ajit Agarkar was questioned about Shami during the announcement of the squad for the Australia tour, he simply stated that there was “no update” on the pacer.
- the BCCI is unlikely to consider Shami for a comeback, not only due to his age 35, but also because of his recent decline in form
- According to reports Shami has opted to feature in in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy campaign, starting on October 15, against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens.