NEW DELHI: Having been repeatedly snubbed by the BCCI selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar despite strong performances in domestic cricket, Mohammed Shami is expected to earn a recall to the national team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, NDTV reported.
The senior pacer has been out of the national setup since his last international appearance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final in March 2025.
"Mohammed Shami is being discussed on a regular basis. He is not out of reckoning. The only concern is about his fitness. A bowler of his calibre will get wickets. It is wrong to say he is out of the selection radar. He is looking good for the New Zealand One-Day series. Do not be surprised if he is picked, given his experience and ability to take wickets at will. Even the 2027 World Cup is a possibility," a BCCI source told the publication.
War of words
Shami and Agarkar were earlier engaged in a war of words, as the chief selector had said Shami would have been in the team had he been fit. However, the pacer refuted the comments, saying, "Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled. It's all in front of your eyes to judge."
Consistency across formats for Bengal
While his fitness had been questioned following his omission from India duty, Shami has silenced doubts with consistent performances on the domestic circuit despite the absence of a national recall.
Beginning with the red-ball season, Shami picked up 20 wickets from four Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 18.60, including a 5/38, as Bengal remain unbeaten from five outings after securing three outright wins to sit atop Group C.
He carried his form into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as Bengal's leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps from seven matches at an average of 14.93.
