There was a time in Indian cricket, where the Test team dominated at home, not losing a series for over a decade between 2013 and 2024, and also had some memorable series’ in SENA countries. Of course, the 2018-19 and 2021-22 AUS series’ as well, where we won. A major part of that success has to be attributed to the kind of pace attack India possessed — Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami One of the Best for India
After Ishant, who started playing much earlier of course, Shami is the second-highest wicket-taker among pacers from the country.. with 229 scalps to his name in 64 outings at an average of 27, and a strike-rate of 50. Such was his importance that the Indian attack without him would generally be a bit brittle, and Bumrah or Ishant would just run out of partners.
In India he had 76 wickets in 22 matches, and outside, where he was the most effective, he had 123 wickets in 32 wickets. But perhaps, that is where his Test journey would come to an abrupt halt. After playing his last Test in 2023, the WTC final vs Australia, a spate of injuries seem to have taken a toll on his body.
Road in Tests Looks Clear
If not, the BCCI selectors seem to have decided his fate in Tests. That Mohammed Shami might not be needed in the longest format. Hard to digest, but the recent signs show that only. After playing a match of Ranji Trophy last season, he was not considered for the IND vs AUS Tests.
Only ODIs Could be Way Forward
Then after playing in Champions Trophy, he was overlooked for the England series, where Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep were preferred along with Bumrah, with Shardul Thakur making a comeback, and Anshul Kamboj being the new entrant. Cut to the upcoming West Indies series, he again is not considered.
So, if he could be included in the Ranji probables for the next season, that means he is fit.. but not in reckoning for Test comeback. And that could just be the end of the road. Maybe, the think tank sees him deliver more in the ODIs and could be in hunt for a spot for the 2027 World Cup, but it surely it marks the end of an excellent era of Test cricket for India.
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