BCCI Admits Moving Beyond Mohammed Shami (Source: AFP Photos)
The BCCI announced the Indian team squad for the upcoming one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan. The one-off test will begin from June 6 onwards, and the three ODIs will be played on June 14, 17, and 20.
One of the biggest news items from the squads’ announcement was that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami was not included in either the India Test squad or the ODI squads. This was a huge signal from the Indian board that they have seemingly moved on from the pacer.
Mohammed Shami’s India Test career
Mohammed Shami, who hails from Amroha and played his domestic cricket for Bengal, made his India Test debut in 2013, and his ODI and T20I debuts came in 2013 and 2014, respectively. He made an instant impression on his Test debut, taking five wickets in Kolkata, his home ground.
Shami became the leader of the pace attack, along with Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar being the other members. Overall, Mohammed Shami played 64 Tests for India, taking 229 wickets at an average of 27.71 and best bowling figures of 6/56.
He was part of the Indian side that played the ICC World Test Championship finals in 2021 and 2023. His final test came for India in the final of the 2023 WTC against Australia at the Oval in England.
Also Read: India ODI Squad vs Afghanistan Announced; BCCI Brings Ishan Kishan Back
Mohammed Shami struggles to gain BCCI selectors’ attention for an India comeback
Mohammed Shami had a lengthy break after an exceptional performance for India in ICC World Cup 2023 at home after he suffered an ankle injury and underwent surgery for the same. He made his return to the Indian team against England in T20Is in 2025 and then played in India’s successful ICC Champions Trophy campaign the same year.
This was the last time Shami wore India colors, and despite very good returns in domestic cricket for Bengal and decent performance in the last two IPL seasons, the pacer has not been in talks for an India comeback.
Ajit Agarkar, BCCI chief selector, admits to not discussing Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami's inability to join the team has been addressed by Ajit Agarkar. According to the head selector's understanding, the seasoned pacer is not prepared for the conventional 50-over format. Shami is only prepared for the T20 format.
"No" (discussions on Shami's test return). As far as we have been told, at this point...his body is allowing him to (play). I know he has played a domestic season this year. But from the information that I have got, at this point it's T20 cricket that he's sort of ready for. So there was no discussion regarding him,” Agarkar told reporters in the press conference.
Mohammed Siraj to lead Indian pace attack in the one-off Test
India is set to play a one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan starting June 6. The Test, the first between India and Afghanistan since 2018, will be played at the New Chandigarh Stadium in Mullanpur.
In the Indian squad named by the BCCI for the Test match, Mohammed Siraj has been named as the leader of the pace attack. He and Prasidh Krishna have been named as the pacers, with Gurnoor Singh Brar getting his maiden India Test call-up. There is Nitish Kumar Reddy for assistance as well.
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