Mohammed Shami in action [Source: CREX/x]Team India returned back to its winning ways in Test cricket with comprehensive series wins over Afghanistan and India. Under Shubman Gill, the Indian cricket team will now face New Zealand in their upcoming away series as part of the 2025-27 WTC cycle. However, former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar is of the opinion that Team India should travel to New Zealand with legendary fast bowler Mohammed Shami. It is worth noting that Shami has not been considered for national Test selection since India’s big defeat against Australia in the 2023 WTC final more than three years ago.Mohammed Shami should return to India team, says VengsarkarDuring an interview with RevSportz, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar demanded for the inclusion of Mohammed Shami in the national Test side. The 1983 World Cup winner said that Shami has been already performing well in domestic cricket, and holds a formidable record for India at the international level. Also Read- Mohammed Shami Hits Back At Ajit Agarkar For India Snub After Duleep TrophyPraising Shami, Dilip Vengsarkar said “I don’t know why he has been sidelined, to be honest with you. He has done extremely well in domestic cricket as well as international cricket. He is a very good bowler, and he should be an integral part of the Indian team.”Vengsarkar also added that Mohammed Shami should be a part of the Indian squad that will travel to New Zealand for a two-match Test series in November this year.He explained “Shami should be in the Test squad for the New Zealand series. I don’t know why he is out of the team.”When was the last time Mohammed Shami played for India?Mohammed Shami played the last of his 64 Tests for India back in June 2023 during the WTC 2023 final against Australia in London. While the cricketer is not a regular member of India’s T20I line-up, he made a brief return to the national T20I side for a home series against England back in February last year. In ODIs, Shami has not played a single match for India since lifting the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai back in March 2025.How has Mohammed Shami fared in recent times?While Shami has not been considered for national selection in the past few years, the cricketer continues to remain an integral member of the Bengal team in domestic tournaments. Moreover, in the last one year itself, the speedster has collected close to 100 wickets across all formats spanning multiple competitions. In the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season up until early this year, the legendary paceman finished with 37 wickets in 13 innings for Bengal at an average of 16.72, thus finishing among the leading wicket-takers of the tournament. In the Vijay Hazare 2025-26 and SMAT 2025, the seasoned pro harvested 31 wickets across both white-ball events combined. While Shami failed to make the most of his IPL 2026 stint for the LSG franchise with only 12 wickets from 13 innings, he was picked in the East Zone squad for the 2026 Duleep Trophy. In three matches, he picked up seven wickets at an impressive bowling average of 26.57.Also Read- Kensington Oval Pitch Report, Barbados Weather Report For CPL 2026 Final
