Mohammed Shami's India comeback is all but certain | PC- AFP
Mohammed Shami is regarded as one of the most talented and prolific fast bowlers that India have ever seen. The right-arm speedster led India's bowling attack during their 2025 Champions Trophy triumph, but he was dropped from the setup soon after.
Since then, the Indian team management's approach towards fast bowlers has completely changed, with young legs being groomed across all formats. Meanwhile, despite regular injuries to the current crop of seamers, Shami has been kept far from an Indian recall.
However, things might change for the 36-year-old speedster soon after the Duleep Trophy 2026 final, which is currently underway between East Zone and South Zone.
Mohammed Shami set to be recalled for IND vs WI ODIs
According to a groundbreaking report by ABP News, Mohammed Shami is expected to be picked in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against West Indies.
As the three-match ODI series vs WI will collide with the Asian Games 2026, Shami may not only be included in the Indian squad but could also lead the bowling attack.
Notably, India’s first-choice pacers, i.e. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, are named in the squad for the Asian Games. That said, reports had also suggested that the BCCI may make changes to the squad for the multi-nation tournament, but this was later denied.
"The door may be open for the return of experienced Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami to the ODI team," the report stated.
"Shami's name may be discussed during team selection for this series. This is largely due to the fact that many of India's leading fast bowlers will be in Japan for the Asian Games at that time."
Mohammed Shami proving Ajit Agarkar wrong with red-hot form
Interestingly, when Mohammed Shami faced the selection axe, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said that the BCCI didn't have an update on the speedster's fitness.
Meanwhile, recently, the Chairman of Selectors stated that the seamer’s body is only ready for the shortest format, not ODI or Test, which have been Shami’s favourites.
"No (discussions on Shami's Test return). As far as we have been told that 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, is that at this point it's T20 cricket that he's sort of ready for. So there was no discussion regarding him," Agarkar had said after selection for the IND vs AFG ODI series.
However, the 36-year-old has been on the road since then, playing every possible tournament for Bengal.
Shami had a fruitful Ranji 2025/26 season, in which he bagged 37 wickets, including an 8/90 in the semifinal. It was followed by the stint in IPL 2026 for LSG and a couple of matches in the 2026 Bengal T20.
Meanwhile, in the ongoing Duleep Trophy, he is going full throttle for East Zone.
Ajit Agarkar keeps close eye on Duleep Trophy final, featuring Mohammed Shami
As reported earlier, Ajit Agarkar was called in to keep a close eye on the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2026 final played at Chennai.
It comes days after the the chief selector missed the talked-about BCCI meeting, where the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met the captains, head coach Gautam Gambhir and CoE’s head VVS Laxman in Mumbai.
With Agarkar, alongside two other selectors present in Chennai, it’s not difficult to read between the lines and understand the BCCI’s move, especially with the likes of Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma featuring in the Duleep Trophy final.
Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar Comes In Mohsin Naqvi's Defence Amid Controversial Player Sackings
