Mohammed Shami has been tearing it apart on the domestic circuit. After a modest 2025-26 Ranji Trophy first leg, the pacer from Bengal has wreaked havoc in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
After playing 7 group stage matches, Shami has finished with 17 wickets. He hasn’t gone wicketless in any game, and in his last 3 outings, he has 11 scalps. His economy has been on the higher side, 8.90, but his wicket-taker ability remains as it has always been.
Shami’s India return loading?
As Shami continues to impress, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and former India captain Sourav Ganguly have once again vouched for his return to the national team. Ganguly thinks the veteran pacer can still represent India across formats, and if he doesn’t have any fitness issues, he should be in the scheme of things as one of the most skillful bowlers in the world.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching. I’m sure there is communication between Mohammed Shami and selectors; I don’t know. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skills, it’s the Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches and one-day and T20 cricket for India because the skill is enormous,” Ganguly said during an event.
Focus on selectors now
For the last few months, questions have been asked about Shami’s omission. Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar had made it clear that the pacer wasn’t fit for selection. That’s why Shami wasn’t picked for the Test or ODI team. Shami had refuted these claims and backed his comments with performances in domestic cricket without any injuries.
“If he were fit, he would have been on that plane to England. The domestic season has just started, and we will see if he is fit enough. We were desperate to have him for the Australia tour, but he wasn’t fit. If he is fit over the next two months, the story might change,” Agarkar had said at the NDTV World Summit 2025 in October.
Now the ball is in the selectors’ court. Do they think SMAT performance is enough for a call-up? Or wait to see how Shami performs in the second leg of the Ranji Trophy and then take a call?
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