Why Is Mohammed Shami Out of India’s Team? Sourav Ganguly Explains

Mohammed Shami has been out of the Indian national team for around a year and a half. Despite consistently performing in domestic cricket, the 36-year-old fast bowler has yet to earn a recall. However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly does not believe Shami is being ignored by the selectors. According to him, such situations can happen as a cricketer gets older.

Shami, who has played 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is for India, has been the subject of growing debate over his absence from the national side. His strong domestic performances have only intensified questions about why he has not been considered for a comeback.

Ganguly, however, rejected the idea that Shami is being overlooked.

“He is not being ignored. He is playing very well. He is a true champion. But when you get older, these things happen,” Ganguly said.

The former India captain also recalled his own experience of being dropped despite reaching a major career milestone.

“I was dropped from one-day cricket for a year even after scoring 10,000 runs. But I came back. So, these things happen to everyone,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly himself was out of India’s ODI setup for around 15 months from September 2005 following controversy over the captaincy and his differences with then coach Greg Chappell. When he returned against the West Indies in January 2007, he made an impressive 98.

Shami Continues to Perform in Domestic Cricket

Shami’s latest period away from the national team began after the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he produced a brilliant bowling campaign before a long injury layoff.

After an extended rehabilitation period, he returned to India’s squad in February 2025 for the series against England. He later featured in the Champions Trophy, taking five wickets against Bangladesh in his opening match and three against Australia in the semifinal.

However, after conceding 74 runs in nine overs in the final, Shami has not been selected for India again.

At one stage, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had pointed to fitness concerns when discussing Shami’s absence. The fast bowler has since responded strongly through his performances in domestic cricket.

Ganguly praised that approach.

“What I like about Shami is that he is playing domestic cricket and performing. It is great to see. He has achieved a lot,” Ganguly said.

Shami played a major role in Bengal’s run to the Ranji Trophy semifinals in the last season. Across seven matches, he claimed 37 wickets at an average of 16.72, finishing as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker.

He also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. In the most recent IPL season, Shami took 12 wickets in 13 matches for Lucknow Super Giants.

He then played an important role in East Zone’s title-winning campaign in the Duleep Trophy, taking seven wickets in three matches at an average of 26.57.

Can Shami Play in the 2027 ODI World Cup?

Ganguly was unwilling to make a prediction about whether Shami will be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

“That is still a long way away. I cannot comment on that. The World Cup is in October next year. There is still a lot of time,” he said.

Ganguly, a former BCCI president and the current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal, said he was pleased to see Shami continuing to play domestic cricket.

Ultimately, the selectors will have to weigh Shami’s age, fitness and performances before deciding on his international future. But his consistent performances in domestic cricket are certainly strengthening his case for an India comeback.