Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami, a standout performer and joint-highest wicket-taker in the recent Champions Trophy alongside Varun Chakravarthy, has been surprisingly excluded from India’s upcoming white-ball tour to Australia, which kicks off on October 19, 2025. This decision has led South African cricket icon AB de Villiers to speculate that Team India might be moving past the 35-year-old pacer, who has been grappling with persistent ankle and knee injuries since the 2023 World Cup.
Shami’s last Test match for India was the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. Following this, he underwent surgery to recover from the injuries he sustained during the memorable 2023 World Cup campaign.
Despite his knee issues keeping him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, Shami made an impressive return in the Champions Trophy in March 2025, delivering stellar performances for the Indian squad. However, even with his recent return to domestic cricket, the veteran pacer has yet to reclaim his spot in the national team.
“It’s a significant decision from Team India. It feels, in a way, like they’ve decided to move on from him,” de Villiers commented on his YouTube channel. “I’m not privy to the behind-the-scenes details, like whether he’s still battling some minor injuries. Perhaps he’s lost a bit of pace, that ‘zip’ he used to have. All these factors could be at play. But it certainly doesn’t mean his career is over.”
De Villiers further highlighted his observations regarding Shami’s bowling pace. “If he can regain that extra yard of pace, which is something I’ve noticed he’s lost recently, then perhaps that’s the reason he’s currently not in the national team,” he explained.
The former South African captain, who openly admires the Indian fast bowler’s skill, remains optimistic about Shami’s potential return to international cricket. “He’s a phenomenal bowler. He constantly challenges batsmen, bowls wicket-to-wicket, and is a tremendous asset to any team when he’s fit, in form, and eager to play. It’s definitely disappointing not to see him involved, as he’s a truly engaging performer for Team India,” de Villiers remarked.
Shami’s absence from the Australia tour marks a notable period away from the national squad for a bowler who has been a crucial component of India’s attack across all formats. This upcoming white-ball series is another major international fixture where India will compete without the services of their seasoned pacer, a player who has been instrumental in the team’s recent successes.
Currently, Shami is concentrating on domestic cricket, striving to achieve full fitness and demonstrate through consistent performances that he deserves to return to the national team. The decision to exclude Shami from the Australian touring party hints at a potential strategic shift in India’s bowling plans, with the team management possibly exploring younger fast-bowling talents.