Mohammed Shami may continue to spend more time on the sidelines as he is unlikely to be selected for the ODI series against Australia. The Men in Blue are scheduled to play their first 50-over format series since the Champions Trophy in October when they tour Australia for a three-match series. Shami, who was last part of the CT 2025 squad, is unlikely to make the cut for Down Under, given that he has gone out of the favour of selectors.
Shami to be snubbed for IND vs AUS ODIs?
Shami hasn’t been at his best since he made his comeback to international cricket earlier this year. While he has arguably been one of the most lethal white-ball bowlers for India, it simply isn’t the case this year. In 11 ODIs that he has been a part of since his comeback, he has managed to pick 11 wickets, averaging 30.63. Two of those came against England, and the remainder in CT 2025 (5 vs BAN, 3 vs AUS and 1 vs NZ).
It was then followed by a sub-par IPL 2025 season where he managed to pick just 6 wickets from 9 matches for SRH. Shami, who by then came under scrutiny for his fitness, inability to bowl at consistent pace and length, was left out of India’s squad for the England Tests and subsequently India A’s squad for the multi-day games against Australia A. In Duleep Trophy, he managed to take just one wicket for East Zone while conceding 136 runs.
Given his struggle with his fitness, and the selectors being unconvinced about his form, Shami is likely to be left out of the squad for IND vs AUS ODIs. Well, India need not worry as they have plenty of options.
For starters, India will surely have Jasprit Bumrah in the squad – even though he won’t play all three games. To partner him, and who will play in all three matches, will be Mohammed Siraj – who will return to the ODI side after a long break. Additionally, India have Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya at their disposal as alternative pace back-ups.
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