Mohammed Shami has been waiting for a long time to return to the Indian team, but he is not being selected. Despite his recent match-winning performances for Bengal, Shami was ignored for the Test series against South Africa. His neglect was recently questioned by former cricketer Sourav Ganguly.
Meanwhile, former Indian assistant coach Abhishek Nair has offered a surprising perspective on Mohammed Shami’s exclusion from the Indian team for the upcoming Test series. He termed it “a clear signal” and said that the team management is now looking towards the future.
Mohammed Shami’s career over?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced a 15-member squad for the Test series, which begins Friday at Eden Gardens. This series marks the return of Bengal fast bowler Akash Deep, who missed the Test match against the West Indies due to injury. However, the absence of veteran fast bowler Shami, who has been in excellent form in domestic cricket, has surprised everyone.
Abhishek Nayar, a former member of Gautam Gambhir’s coaching staff, said in an interview on Star Sports that the team management’s decision marks a generational shift. It’s a clear sign that India is trying to move forward. However, it’s not our job to judge whether this is right or wrong.
Here’s the future plan
He further said, “Honestly, whenever he’s gotten a chance, he’s performed well with the new ball. He’s made an impact. He’s very well-liked in the team because he plays with full force whenever he gets a chance.” However, he also said that the current Indian team is strong enough to adapt to any surface or conditions.
Shami played his last Test in 2023
“We have a very strong team. You have certainty in many ways, in all aspects of the game. You can play with different combinations. Even the conditions probably don’t matter as much, because you have immense talent in that setup,” Nair said. Shami last played a Test in the 2023 WTC final against Australia at The Oval and his most recent ODI was in the 2025 Champions Trophy final.