Zaheer Khan Sends Straightforward Message To Mohammed Shami Amid Team India Snub

Zaheer Khan Sends Straightforward Message To Mohammed Shami [Source: AFP]

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan shared honest advice for Mohammed Shami to save his career amid repeated snubs over a comeback into India’s senior cricket team.

Shami has struggled to regain his place in India's squad since the 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite continuing to play competitive cricket, selectors have repeatedly overlooked him. 

Zaheer Khan advises Shami to focus on shutting out outside noise

The latest decision has raised even more questions. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the Test series against Sri Lanka because of injury, India selected uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi instead of recalling Mohammed Shami. 

That suggests Shami may currently be outside the team's preferred plans, rather than simply being rested for one particular series. 

Reacting to this situation, former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan said that Shami's best approach is to focus on what he can control, which is playing matches and performing well. 

"It is your decision, the way you want to move forward. If you are playing matches and performing well, you remain available. I see things that way. The team's thinking is different, but your way of thinking is important. If you want to contribute, it is your decision," Zaheer Khan told TOI. 

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While Zaheer believes that team management plans could be different to what Shami wants, that shouldn’t stop the latter from performing, as selectors’ decisions are not in his control.

"The way the team is looking at things and what is going on in the scheme of things, sometimes you can analyse how you are thinking. But how can you contribute to that? As a player, you should do what Shami is doing. He is playing. As you said, he is playing matches. That is important," the former fast bowler added.

Why is Shami's situation complicated? 

Having said that, Mohammed Shami's reputation is not really in question. He was India's leading wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup, taking 24 wickets in just seven matches.

But selectors appear to be looking at India's future bowling combination rather than relying solely on past achievements. With younger pacers emerging and the team planning ahead, Shami's experience may not automatically guarantee selection.

Also, a few reports suggested that Mohammed Shami is no longer in India’s future plans as selectors appear to have moved on from him. But Ajit Agarkar is yet to react to this speculation.

Shami’s recent form proves his readiness

Interestingly, Mohammed Shami isn’t sitting idle waiting for his fortunes to turn overnight. He is grinding hard in domestic cricket representing Bengal. In the last Ranji Trophy season, he picked up 37 wickets in 7 games.

Not only that, but the seamer also grabbed 15 wickets in 7 Vijay Hazare Trophy games. He also featured in the IPL 2026 season and picked 12 wickets for LSG. So overall, since 2025, Shami has performed in all 3 formats. 

That not only proves his mettle but also suggests that he is fit to bounce back into international cricket. And personally, Mohammed Shami is not ready to give up yet. He squashed retirement rumours earlier and affirmed that he will continue to grind until the selectors take notice.

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