Mohammed Shami’s long-term place in India’s plans looks increasingly uncertain, as selectors appear to be moving towards a younger group of fast bowlers.
Out of the side since the Champions Trophy final
Shami has not played for India since last year’s Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. He was joint-highest wicket-taker at that tournament, but fitness concerns reportedly lingered with the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar.
The Bengal seamer has returned strongly in domestic cricket, taking 37 wickets in last season’s Ranji Trophy and bowling well in white-ball games. Even so, he has continued to miss out across formats, and was left out of the squad for India’s upcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka.
The younger options
Sportstar reports that selectors have identified 15 young fast bowlers to form the core of India’s pace attack in the coming years, and Shami is reportedly not among them. With the 2027 ODI World Cup and the next WTC cycle ahead, the panel is said to be in a transition phase.
Ashok Sharma, Gurnoor Brar, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav have impressed recently, while IPL standouts Rasikh Salam Dar and Kartik Tyagi are waiting for chances.
Established names
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj remain central figures, and Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana have also secured places in the set-up. Bhuvneshwar Kumar pushed his case after an excellent IPL 2026 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, but selectors are reportedly leaning towards building a younger unit.
The transition in India’s pace department appears to have begun, and Shami’s place in it is unclear.
