Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has questioned the selection committee’s handling of Mohammed Shami, insisting that the veteran pacer still has significant value despite being excluded from the national setup.
Shami has not featured for India since the Champions Trophy campaign in March 2025, when India won the tournament. Since then, the 36-year-old has remained outside the team despite delivering strong performances in domestic cricket.
His prolonged absence has fueled speculation that his international career may be nearing its end. However, Arun believes India should not have permanently closed the door on one of its most experienced fast bowlers.
Bharat Arun criticizes Shami’s treatment
Shami’s omission has been particularly noticeable during Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, with the Indian management opting to promote younger pace options rather than recall the seasoned Bengal seamer.
There was also a public exchange between Shami and Agarkar last year. After the selectors left Shami out of the Test squad for the West Indies series, Agarkar raised questions about the pacer’s fitness.
Shami responded by making it clear that he would not have been playing Ranji Trophy cricket for Bengal had he not been fit.
With Shami continuing to perform strongly on the domestic circuit, Arun believes age should not automatically count against him.
“They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him. When someone is performing, age shouldn’t be a factor. You see his durability. It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball,” Arun told the Indian Express.
Shami is currently representing East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai, giving him another opportunity to make his case with the red ball.
Ishan Kishan notes Shami’s hunger
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan has also observed a different level of intensity from Shami during the current domestic season.
Speaking ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, Kishan said the veteran pacer has shown a strong desire to make an India comeback and praised the effort he has been putting into his domestic cricket.
“As a captain, looking at the effort, I felt very nice, because Shami bhai coming in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets, it always gives confidence,” Ishan said.
Kishan added that Shami’s attitude has stood out to him, particularly given that he is no longer a regular member of the Indian team.
“Looking at Shami bhai this season, I feel he has been very different. I’ve seen him in the past, but his approach towards the game, his intensity, his energy has been very different. When you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games, it is tough but I feel I see that hunger in him. I think he has that hunger and that motivation right now like he wants to do that comeback, he wants to be part of Indian squad again and which you can see in him,” he added.
Shami achieves 100 first-class matches
The Duleep Trophy final has also provided Shami with another significant milestone.
The East Zone pacer has featured in his 100th first-class match against South Zone in Chennai, adding another landmark to an accomplished career.
Shami also played an important role in East Zone’s semi-final victory over defending champions Central Zone, claiming three wickets in the second innings.