Mohammed Shami To Return To National Team? Here's What Reports Say

Mohammed Shami is again part of national selection talks, with the 2027 ODI World Cup now a clear target. Selectors are watching domestic cricket closely as Shami, 35, shows signs of sustained rhythm and match fitness. A home ODI series against New Zealand is emerging as the most likely opening for a comeback, if fitness checks stay positive.

NDTV quoted a BCCI source in its report stating that conversations around Shami have restarted within selection meetings, after many months of uncertainty. The source said Shami’s domestic outings are being "closely tracked", and that a recall is now viewed as a realistic option rather than a long shot, provided medical feedback stays encouraging across formats.

Mohammed Shami selection debate and 2027 World Cup plans

The same BCCI official stressed how the selection panel currently views the situation with Shami. "Mohammed Shami is being discussed on a regular basis. He is not out of reckoning. The only concern is about his fitness. A bowler of his calibre will get wickets. It is wrong to say he is out of the selection radar. He is looking good for the New Zealand One-Day series. Do not be surprised if he is picked, given his experience and ability to take wickets at will. Even the 2027 World Cup is a possibility."

This change in mood is striking given Shami has not played for India since the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025. Shami ended that tournament as India’s joint-highest wicket-taker, with nine wickets, yet found no place in squads after that. Shami’s last ODI came against New Zealand there, while the previous Test was the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.

Mohammed Shami selection talk driven by domestic numbers

Shami’s continued relevance has been powered by strong numbers in Indian domestic cricket. Across three Vijay Hazare Trophy matches and three Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, Shami collected 17 wickets. In this season’s Ranji Trophy, Shami took 20 wickets in only four matches. Those figures suggest the ability to strike regularly has not dipped, even after long injury breaks.

Domestic form has also sharpened arguments from several former India players, who have questioned Shami’s omission when India rest senior quicks. Mohammad Kaif has publicly highlighted Shami’s absence during recent ODI series, especially when Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were rotated. With India trying different pace options, some analysts feel Shami’s record in big tournaments makes the non-selection harder to explain.

Mohammed Shami selection and fitness stand-off with selectors

The key concern for selectors has always been Shami’s body, not Shami’s skill set. Since the 2023 World Cup, Shami has dealt with repeated ankle and knee problems. Surgery and long rehabilitation phases affected training loads and match readiness. That medical history has encouraged caution within selection discussions, while Shami has pointed to his Ranji Trophy availability for Bengal as proof of readiness.

The tension surfaced publicly earlier this year after Shami was ignored for India’s white-ball tour of Australia. Shami criticised the process, arguing that regular domestic appearances already showed fitness. Shami suggested it should not be a player’s job to keep sending fitness updates to selectors if the player is turning out consistently in competitive games.

Mohammed Shami selection view from Ajit Agarkar

Selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar responded to that criticism during the NDTV World Summit 2025 in October. "He has been an incredible performer for India," Agarkar said. "If he said something, maybe that is a conversation for me to have with him or him to have with me. But even before England, we said if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn't."

Agarkar further explained how timing and fitness influenced earlier calls. "Our domestic season has just started, so we will see if he is fit enough," he added. "This is the first round of Ranji games that is going on. We will find out in a couple more games. If he is bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like Shami?" Those remarks are now starting to align with actual selection discussions.

As things stand, Shami’s immediate target is a place in the ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand. Regular spells, consistent speeds and clean medical reports will remain non-negotiable. Even if selected, Shami will compete with younger quicks in a system that values workload management and rotation, especially while planning for long cycles like the build-up to the 2027 World Cup.

For India’s team management, the attraction of a proven wicket-taker for crunch events remains strong. Shami’s recent domestic output, plus past success in global tournaments, keeps the door open despite earlier doubts. If fitness holds and selectors stay convinced by match reports, Shami could yet play a central part in India’s plans heading into 2027.