India’s selection panel never seriously considered Mohammed Shami for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In fact, as per RevSportz, the veteran fast bowler’s name did not even come up during the selection meeting. This surely puts India’s stance on Shami even clearer. It has ended weeks of speculation around his international return as well after initial reports suggested that he may be considered the ODIs that start on January 11.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was in Jaipur on Saturday, watching the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Mumbai and Maharashtra, alongside fellow selector RP Singh. The actual squad meeting happened online and, by all accounts, was routine. Shami’s case, however, never made it to the table. Captain Shubman Gill also attended the meeting after he missed the Punjab Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) fixture against Sikkim due to food poisoning.
Why is Shami not part of Team India?
The reasons are both cricketing and personal. On the field, the selectors and team management remain unconvinced that the 34-year-old has regained the fitness levels required for high-intensity international cricket. Although he continues to take wickets in the domestic circuit, the selectors don’t feel Shami’s body can handle the intensity of international cricket.
Ever since Shami made a comeback after his Achilles injury following the ODI World Cup 2023 final, he didn’t look in good rhythm. Despite being one of the highest wicket-takers in the ICC Champions Trophy, the flow wasn’t there. Nor was the pace. He was too dependent on the natural seam movement and wrist position, something that Shami is blessed with.
Off the field, Shami may have complicated matters with his public criticism of Agarkar at Eden Gardens earlier this season, where he questioned the transparency of his exclusion despite being cleared by the NCA.
The panel’s thinking is also shaped by current depth. According to those close to the selection process, Shami is not seen as an upgrade over Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna at this stage. That perception has kept him outside the ODI setup despite his strong domestic numbers.
Shami continues to grind in domestic cricket
Ironically, the snub comes at a time when Shami’s performances have been impossible to ignore. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal, he has taken 11 wickets in 5 innings at a superb strike rate of 23. His stats in the ongoing domestic season are:
- VHT: 11 wickets in 5 games
- SMAT: 16 wickets in 7 games
- Ranji Trophy: 20 wickets in first 7 games
Those numbers come on top of a heavy domestic workload. In the first half of Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Shami picked up 20 wickets, including a five-for against Gujarat. He followed that with 17 wickets in 7 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches and now continues to strike regularly in the 50-over format.
What makes the omission more intriguing is India’s pace situation for the New Zealand ODIs. Jasprit Bumrah is set for rest, while Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 planning. On paper, Shami would’ve fit the gap perfectly had the management rested both Arshdeep and Harshit. However, they aren’t and Shami misses playing against a team he has a great record against. When facing the New Zealand side, he has dominated in the past, taking 38 wickets in 16 ODIs at an average of 21.15.
India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal
Note: *Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from BCCI COE
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