Mohammed Shami’s India Future in Doubt: Champions Trophy 2025 Potentially His last Hurrah
India’s selection panel has effectively sidelined veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, fueling speculation that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final could represent his last appearance in Indian colors.
The decision, reported by RevSportz, wasn’t even formally discussed during the online squad meeting. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar observed the Vijay Hazare Trophy match between Mumbai and Maharashtra on Saturday alongside fellow selector RP Singh, but Shami’s case never formally reached the table during the online squad meeting. Captain Shubman Gill was also present, having missed a recent Punjab Vijay hazare Trophy fixture due to food poisoning.
The reasons for excluding the 34-year-old are multifaceted,encompassing both cricketing concerns and personal considerations. According to sources close to the selection process, the team management harbors doubts about Shami’s ability to consistently maintain the fitness levels demanded by high-intensity international cricket. While he continues to demonstrate wicket-taking ability in domestic competitions, selectors believe his body may struggle with the rigors of the international schedule.
As returning from an Achilles injury sustained during the 2023 ODI World Cup final, Shami hasn’t displayed his peak form. despite a strong record in the ICC Champions Trophy, his rhythm, pace, and reliance on seam movement have been areas of concern. “He’s still a quality bowler, but the explosiveness hasn’t quite been there as the injury,” a senior official stated.
Adding to the complexity, Shami’s public criticism of Agarkar earlier this season, where he questioned the transparency of his exclusion despite receiving clearance from the National Cricket academy (NCA), may have further strained the relationship. The panel also appears to be prioritizing current squad depth, viewing Shami as no longer an automatic upgrade over Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, or Prasidh Krishna.
Ironically, Shami’s omission comes amidst a period of impressive domestic performances. In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has claimed 11 wickets in 5 innings with a strike rate of 23. His broader domestic statistics for the current season are compelling:
- Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT): 11 wickets in 5 games
- Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT): 16 wickets in 7 games
- Ranji Trophy: 20 wickets in 7 games
Thes figures are bolstered by a significant workload in the first half of the 2025-26 ranji Trophy,where he secured 20 wickets,including a five-wicket haul against gujarat,and 17 wickets in 7 syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches.
The situation is further complicated by India’s pace bowling options for the New Zealand ODIs.With Jasprit Bumrah slated for rest, and Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana being groomed for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shami appeared to be a natural fit. However, the management has opted not to rest both Arshdeep and Harshit, leaving Shami on the sidelines against a team he has historically dominated, having taken 38 wickets in 16 ODIs at an average of 21.15.
India’s ODI squad for the new Zealand series is as follows: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi jaiswal. Shreyas Iyer’s availability is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.
while Shami continues to prove his worth in domestic cricket, the current trajectory suggests that the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand may indeed be the last time fans see him representing india on the international stage.
