Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has urged India national cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir to recall veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami to the Test team.
Sourav Ganguly said Mohammed Shami deserves a place in the Indian Test team after what he has done for the team over the years and admitted that the right-arm fast bowler can still win matches on his own.
It was not the best Test wicket, but unfortunately India lost – Sourav Ganguly
India lost the first match of the Test series against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata inside three days as the pitch provided for the game was giving too much support to the bowlers and the batsmen had to face a tough time.
The home team had a small target of 124 runs to chase in the final innings, but they were unable to achieve it and were bundled out for only 93 runs, resulting in a 30-run defeat.
Speaking after the match, Bengal Cricket Association president Sourav Ganguly said that the pitch made for the game was not good.
Ganguly also revealed that India head coach Gautam Gambhir had demanded such a surface and the pitch curator at Eden Gardens agreed to his demands.
“There is no dispute. It was not the best Test wicket, but unfortunately, India lost. And they still should have scored 120 runs. It was not the best of Test pitches. Gambhir said he wanted such a pitch and he himself had given instructions to the curator,” Ganguly told India Today.
“Yes, it’s true – instructions were given, and I will repeat what I said earlier. I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well for India in England, in ODIs, in T20 cricket. We will continue for some time, but we have to play on good pitches.”
I think Shami deserves a place in this Test team – Sourav Ganguly
Mohammed Shami has not played for Team India since participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It seems that the selectors have done away with him and have refused to pick him in any team despite the fast bowler performing well in domestic cricket.
In the first three Ranji Trophy games for Bengal in the current season, he took 15 wickets at an average of 15.53 and a strike rate of 37.2. Despite this, his selection was not considered and he even had a war of words with chief selector Ajit Agarkar.
Meanwhile, Sourav Ganguly suggested head coach Gautam Gambhir to recall Mohammed Shami and said that he can win Test matches for India.
Sourav Ganguly said in a conversation with Sports Tak, “They should have faith in Bumrah, Siraj and Shami. I think Shami deserves a place in this Test team. Shami and the spinners will win Test matches for them.” Ganguly said, “Win Test matches not in three days, but in five days.”
Disappointing to watch India bat against spin – S Badrinath
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman S Badrinath was disappointed after seeing the Indian batsmen struggle against the spinners in the first Test against South Africa.
“It’s disappointing to see India’s batting decline against spin while the visiting spinners are improving with every tour, a complete contrast to what used to be the case. #SAvIND #CricItWithBadri #TeamIndia,” the former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star wrote on Twitter.
It is disappointing to see India’s batting decline against spin, while the visiting spinners are improving with every tour, a stark contrast to what used to be the case.#SAvIND #CricItWithBadri #TeamIndia
– S. Badrinath (@s_Badrinath) 16 November 2025
Also read: ‘India deserved to lose after preparing the Eden Gardens pitch’: Michael Vaughan becomes cruel