Indian veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has recently found himself at the centre of a selection controversy, having been absent from the national team across all formats since the Champions Trophy in March.
Despite actively featuring in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, his chances of making a comeback to the Indian side, particularly in Tests and T20Is, seem to have diminished.
The Bengal pacer last played for India before suffering a severe heel injury in 2023, which required surgery and an extended recovery period. Considering his age and injury history, which includes a knee operation nearly a decade ago, selectors are wary of his fitness and his ability to cope with the demands of international cricket, especially in the longer formats.
While several reports have claimed that Shami’s exclusion stems from a lack of communication between him and the selectors, sources within the BCCI suggest that the reality is more nuanced. The board is believed to be closely monitoring his workload and recovery progress, indicating that his return to the national setup may depend heavily on fitness assessments and the team’s evolving strategy ahead of future series.
"There have been multiple times that national selectors and support staff from the BCCI Centre of Excellence have called to check on Shami. The selection committee was desperate to get his services in England as Jasprit Bumrah could not have played more than three Tests,” said a senior board official as quoted by Hindustan Times.
This was further reflected in communications from a senior member of the selection panel, who had repeatedly reached out to Shami, urging him to participate in the India A series against the England Lions in England. The selectors viewed these matches as an ideal platform to assess Shami’s red-ball fitness ahead of the five-Test series.
However, Shami reportedly declined the offer, explaining that he needed more time to build his workload and regain full match readiness. He also conveyed that he did not wish to be considered for the assignment at that stage, prioritizing a measured recovery process over a premature return to competitive action.
"So the narrative that there was no communication with Shami isn't an absolute truth," the official said.
The right-arm fast bowler has made a strong start to the Ranji Trophy season for Bengal, emerging as a key performer for his side. He has already claimed 15 wickets in the first two matches, playing a pivotal role in Bengal’s victories against Uttarakhand and Gujarat. Despite his impressive domestic form, Shami’s return to international cricket remains uncertain.
His next possible opportunity to don the India colours could come in the upcoming ODI and T20I series against South Africa, though at present, the chances of his selection appear slim.
