Mohammed Shami ready for India comeback? Veteran making waves in Ranji Trophy
At 35, Mohammed Shami has largely been viewed as out of the Indian national team setup. The veteran pacer last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy, marking his return after over a year of an injury-marred hiatus. However, the long-awaited comeback did not translate into opportunities across formats. Since then, Shami has not been considered for the India vs England Test series, the home series against the West Indies, or the India vs Australia ODI series. While the senior pacer has seemed understandably displeased with the continued exclusions, he is still putting in the work, as evident from his recent appearances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
Mohammed Shami shows readiness for India comeback with statement spells in the Ranji Trophy
Mohammed Shami is making sure his performances speak louder than any discussions surrounding him. With every outing, he is steadily increasing the pressure on chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his panel. On Tuesday, the 35-year-old produced a stunning spell of 5/38 to guide Bengal to a 141-run victory over Gujarat in their Ranji Trophy match at the Eden Gardens. This came after he had already claimed three wickets in the first innings.
Earlier in the domestic tournament, the seasoned seamer had taken seven wickets in Bengal’s clash against Uttarakhand, and with his latest performance, Shami’s tally has climbed to 15 wickets in just two matches. The numbers are a reminder of the quality he brings to red-ball cricket, and his form has once again opened the conversation around whether he should return to the national side for the upcoming two-Test India vs South Africa series, set to begin on November 14 in Kolkata.
Despite his pedigree, Mohammed Shami has slipped down the hierarchy in the current team setup, with ongoing disagreements between him and Ajit Agarkar believed to be part of the reason. His exclusion from the India A squad for the multi-day fixtures against South Africa A only highlighted his uncertain status. Shami last represented India during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, and questions over his fitness have lingered since. However, by taking the field for Bengal and delivering impactful spells, he has effectively dismissed doubts concerning his physical readiness.
The pacer was also spotted engaged in a long conversation with RP Singh, the latest addition to the selection committee, during the weekend, adding further intrigue to the situation. Shami reiterated that he is prepared to don the India jersey again, stating that his primary focus is maintaining fitness and staying match-ready so that he can answer the call if and when it comes. He acknowledged that selection often involves an element of luck but emphasized that his responsibility is to keep performing; the decision, he said, will ultimately rest with the selectors.
"A lot of hard work is there and I believe luck too plays a part. Every person wants to play for the country. So, I am ready for that," Shami said. "My motivation is to stay fit and be available for the Indian team at all times. In the ground, I will continue to perform and the rest is on the selectors' hands," he added.
