Mohammed Shami Rohit Sharma. Image Credits: AFP
The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) has often been the road to the Indian team, but in some cases, performances in the Indian T20 league have paved the way for extraordinary stories. One of such stories is of the Indian veteran, Mohammed Shami.
With the IPL 2026 in its business end, there have been talks of fast-tracking the talents of players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh to get a taste of the Indian dressing room. Meanwhile, there are discussions about a shift in the captaincy of the T20I side.
However, the need of the hour is to create backups in the fast bowling department, with the BCCI looking to rest cotton-wound Jasprit Bumrah after the IPL 2026. Reportedly, the Indian team management will unleash the 32-year-old seamer only in the ongoing Test series, which falls under the WTC cycle.
Mohammad Shami in race with younger seamers
With Bumrah resting, Mohammad Siraj becomes the only all-format seamer. There have been speculations around the selectors looking at performing assets from the IPL 2026.
The likes of Prince Yadav, Mohsin Khan and Kartik Tyagi are considered as the contenders for an India call-up. However, the ever-performing Mohammed Shami has been the dark horse of the season, especially with the way he is operating for LSG.
The 35-year-old Shami, after getting dropped from the Indian setup, has worked tremendously on his fitness, which is showing in the IPL 2026. Moreover, in the build-up to the marquee tournament, he had bowled rigorously by scalping 37 wickets in the Ranji Trophy 2026.
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As a result, the workhouse pacer may return to the national team after last playing for India during their victorious Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
Mohammad Shami to return for one-off vs AFG?
As reported by Cricblogger, Mohammed Shami may join forces with Mohammad Siraj for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan, scheduled to commence in the first week of June.
"He (Shami) is a proven player. And with the team management expected to rotate pacers during the upcoming Test series against England — especially to manage the workload of Jasprit Bumrah — the need for experienced senior pros like Shami still remains significant," the report stated.
Although Shami's quest for an India comeback won't be easy, the team management is more eager to groom younger players than to rewind the clock.
"However, sources within the team management also believe that investing in and grooming youngsters remains a better long-term option rather than turning back to Shami once again," it added.
Why was Mohammed Shami dropped from India team?
Mohammed Shami, a proven all-format player for India, has been sidelined from the Indian scheme of things due to lack of fitness and communication breakdown with the selectors and team management.
After featuring in the Champions Trophy 2025, the Bengal pacer was in line to be selected for the Test tour of England last year. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee went against his selection until his proved his fitness in the NCA.
Mohammed Shami decided to prove his critics wrong with the ball and went through the domestic grind, and performing in all three major domestic tournaments.
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