Former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised questions on the absence of experienced fast bowler Mohammad Shami during the ODI series against South Africa. The cricketer turned commentator said that Shami’s experience should have been invaluable to the team in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
India won the opening ODI by 17 runs in Ranchi on Sunday, 30 November. The home team scored a total of 349/8 on a batting-friendly pitch. In reply, South Africa was out for 332 runs. India went into the match with a young pace attack, which included Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna.
Don’t know why Mohammad Shami is still not playing – Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif believes India missed the presence of Mohammed Shami in the first ODI against South Africa. He said that Shami is such a bowler who can take wickets on any surface. Kaif said that the team was missing a senior player in the fast bowling unit during the tense moments of the match.
Kaif said on his YouTube channel, “The question is valid. No matter what kind of pitch is there, a bowler like Shami does not care if it is flat. He has so much class that he finds ways to take wickets even there.”
“I don’t know why he is still not playing because Bumrah and Siraj have been rested. His presence will also benefit the young fast bowlers. There is no senior fast bowler to tell players like Prasidh, Harshit and Arshdeep what to do under pressure. India missed that,” he said.
Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy earlier this year, as injury and fitness issues have kept him out of the national team. He has been active in domestic cricket to gain rhythm and match fitness.
Shami took 20 wickets in just four matches for Bengal in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He has also been a part of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he has taken four wickets in three matches.
Harshit Rana made solid use of the new ball – Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif also said that Harshit Rana, who finished with figures of 3/65 from his 10 overs, made good use of the new ball. He said that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were constantly guiding the young bowlers, giving advice at crucial moments.
“Harshit Rana bowled a good length. He was bowling short, but here he kept his length forward. He made solid use of the new ball. Rohit and Virat were also giving him advice on the field. This is what I am saying, the young players will do well under the leadership of the seniors and it has always been like that in Indian cricket.”
Kaif said, “How many times have we seen Virat going to Arshdeep and Prasidh and talking to him. Rohit was also giving inputs. He wants India to win, even if he is not leading. He does not care about the credit. He talked to the bowlers a lot and the results were clear.”
Jaiswal will have to work a little harder against left arm fast bowlers – Mohammad Kaif
Mohammad Kaif also shared his views on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in the first ODI. Kaif said Jaiswal needs to improve his technique against left-arm pace, adding that playing closer to the line of off-stump will help him avoid caught-behind dismissals.
Kaif said, “Jaiswal will have to work a little harder against left-arm fast bowlers. On a good batting pitch, you cannot get caught behind the wicket. There is some improvement in technique. Virat can hit sixes because he has presented the face of the bat completely. Jaiswal has to do that. He has to open the face of the bat and play on the line of off-stump. He is a good batsman.”
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