Veteran seam bowler Mohammed Shami has been the biggest talking point in the past few months. The national selectors haven't picked the 35-year-old despite his impressive performances both in domestic cricket and in the IPL for Lucknow Super Giants.
“He still has a lot of cricket left in him and is ready. If the country needs him, he will be ready to serve.” The former Gujarat Titans pacer played for India under Rohit Sharma in the 2025 Champions Trophy. He was the best bowler of the 2023 ODI World Cup, claiming 24 wickets. This included the best ODI bowling figures of 7/57 by an Indian bowler against New Zealand in the semi-final in Mumbai.
The veteran had picked up a total of three fifers and a four-wicket haul during the tournament. Mohammad Badruddin reveals why Shami is key for India in overseas conditions It hasn’t been a great time for the Indian cricket team in the ODI format in the last few months. The team lost to Australia and England in away series and to New Zealand at home. Their only wins came at home against South Africa and Afghanistan.
This has raised serious doubts about the side’s readiness for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Mohammed Shami’s long-time coach said his ward's experience will be invaluable for the Men in Blue in places like South Africa. “India didn’t bowl well in England, where the pacers get a lot of help. Shami could have been of some help there, and it is not easy to bowl in South Africa.” Badruddin was also asked about the constant injury issues faced by the seamers.
Jasprit Bumrah was the latest casualty after he was ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour due to a knee injury sustained during the England ODI series. “Focus has been more on indoor fitness and gym sessions. Fast bowlers need ground fitness, which includes running and sprinting. That’s where the focus should be. India’s fast bowlers hardly get any rest; they need a month to recover," he concluded.