There is a lot of discussion about the selection and exclusion of Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami from the team and now former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has also expressed his support for the experienced Bengal fast bowler.
Despite his excellent fitness and tremendous record in international cricket, there is a lot of speculation about Mohammed Shami being dropped from the Indian team and being continuously neglected.In comparison to the world number one player, his wickets in fewer matches are also equal to those of Bumrah. 1 pacer.
Shami is also India’s most successful fast bowler with the joint-highest wicket taker across all formats in ICC tournaments. He is the sole king of the ODI format and has performed best when India needed him in ICC matches.
Former BCCI President supported Mohammed Shami for selection in Team India
Mohammed Shami is an experienced fast bowler, but his injuries have kept him away from consistent field action and a permanent place in the Indian team. He has been in and out of the Indian team throughout his career, but a comeback after the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy seems a long way off for the 34-year-old fast bowler.
After being left out of the recent white-ball series in Australia and the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa, former BCCI president and current CAB president Sourav Ganguly feels there is no reason to keep Shami away from the Indian team and international cricket.
“Shami is great; he is bowling exceptionally well. You have seen in 2-3 Ranji Trophy matches where he has single-handedly led Bengal to victory. I am sure the selectors are watching.” I am sure there is communication between Shami and the selectors; I don’t know“Ganguly clearly feels Shami is as fit as ever and should be in the team.
“But if you ask me in terms of fitness and skill, he is the Mohammed Shami we know about. So I really don’t see any reason why he can’t play Test matches, ODIs or T20Is for India because his skill set is huge,” Ganguly said at an event in Kolkata.
Mohammed Shami did not participate in the fourth round of Ranji Trophy for Bengal.
Mohammed Shami suffered a major injury blow and was ruled out of the IPL campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he had the worst season of his IPL career. Shami returned to action with the Duleep Trophy and later played the first three rounds of the Ranji Trophy.
Having bowled in three matches, Shami has bowled 93 overs so far in the domestic tournament and taken an impressive 15 wickets. He averages 15.13 and is ranked 13th in the list of highest wicket-takers this season, having played one less match than most of the players on the list.
However, he skipped the ongoing fourth round of Ranji Trophy for the Bengal team and is expected to return for the next round.
India have their next World Cup campaign and WTC final in 2027 – will Shami remain in the plans?
Shami has been playing for India in the World Cup since 2015, and has played three World Cups in his career, and has also been a part of two Champions Trophies with the team. He remains the best bowler for India in ICC tournaments.
Shami has more wickets than Zaheer Khan and has equaled Wasim Akram in the World Cup, and is India’s highest wicket-taker in ICC games, He is also the 5th highest wicket taker in the ODI World Cup, having played the least number of matches compared to all others in the list.,
India’s World Cup is scheduled in South Africa in 2027, which will provide favorable conditions for pace and another WTC final if they qualify in the same year.
Shami will be 36 by then and to remain in the plans, he will have to be included in the Indian team and prove his ability ahead of ICC events.
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