It came as a bit of a surprise when the Indian selectors announced the squad for the England series, and there was no Mohammed Shami in it. TBH, no one can really fault the management to not rope him, as the pacer looked underwhelming in the IPL 2025, just preceding the India-England Test series, where he bagged only six wickets, in nine matches an at average of 56.
Nothing Explains Mohammed Shami’s Absence from Test Team
But on the flipside, Mohammed Shami was great in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 winning campaign, where he picked up 9 wickets in 5 matches, at an average of 25, including a fifer. So, is the 34-year-old pacer’s Test career over — where in 64 Tests, he picked up 229 wickets. Well, truth be told, India need him, more than ever.
| Country | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy | Strike-rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 64 | 229 | 27.71 | 3.30 | 50.2 |
| England | 14 | 42 | 40.50 | 3.50 | 69.2 |
For the last 2-3 series, the team has been struggling to find a perfect bowling partner for Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj hasn’t been at his best. His 102 wickets in 37 Tests speak a thousand words. Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna are too inexperienced to be of much help. And that is where the team has struggled the most.
Jasprit Bumrah Needs a Bowling Partner
Let us for instance, talk about the Leeds Test only. While Jasprit Bumrah kept piling on the pressure in the first innings, and bagged a fifer, Siraj and Prasidh were very expensive, and leaked boundaries. But the end of the match, Bumrah had bowled close to 45 overs.
Can Shami Last At Least Two Tests?
That just shows, how much Team India is missing Shami. Yes, he might not be in the best shape.. for his body to withstand the pressure of the entire series, but if Bumrah can be picked for three, why can’t Shami be picked for at least two. That would increase the competition in the team, the bowlers will be more than willing to fight for their spots, and only bring out their A game.
Moreover, Shami has picked up 42 wickets in England, in 14 matches, and can add some value in the attack. Otherwise, Siraj will be the fallback option, and in the matches where Bumrah isn’t playing, the pace attack would only look toothless.
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