Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced significant skepticism regarding Mohammed Shami’s prospects of rejoining the national squad. His main concern centers around the veteran pacer’s noticeable lack of recent match practice.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra stated, “I believe it wouldn’t be favorable, as if his name hasn’t emerged now, the likelihood of him being selected for India is quite low in any scenario. Of course, he is actively playing domestic cricket, and he has rightfully questioned why he is being pressured if he wishes to play, which is perfectly fine.”
While acknowledging Shami’s immense experience and innate talent, Chopra highlighted that the seasoned fast bowler has fallen considerably behind in the competitive race for India’s crucial fast-bowling positions.
“However, he has fallen significantly behind in the pecking order. Although, it’s also true that our fast-bowling talent pool isn’t so vast that we could simply say someone’s exclusion now means they’ll never return. His name could certainly reappear, but the chances are minimal unless he delivers an absolutely sensational performance in the upcoming IPL season,” Chopra elaborated.
The 35-year-old Shami has been noticeably absent from recent international call-ups, with his opportunities largely confined to a few sporadic domestic appearances. Chopra encouraged fans to maintain hope for Shami’s potential return, emphasizing that truly strong displays in domestic cricket or the 2026 IPL could still create an opening for him.
Reinforcing this point, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar also commented on Shami’s situation, explicitly stressing the critical need for more game time before he can be considered for national selection.
“I don’t have any fresh updates. I believe he hasn’t participated in much cricket over the last two to three years. He has played just one match for Bengal and one in the Duleep Trophy. As a proven performer, we all know what he’s capable of, but he genuinely needs to accumulate more match experience,” Agarkar clarified.
Ultimately, Shami’s future in international cricket remains uncertain unless he manages to deliver truly exceptional and eye-catching performances to impress the selectors.