Here’s why Mohammed Shami was snubbed again despite Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback

Here’s why Mohammed Shami was snubbed again despite Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s comeback

Mohammed Shami’s India Comeback Prediction Faces Fresh Doubts After New Zealand Tour Snub

Mohammed Shami’s hopes of returning to the India national cricket team have suffered another setback after selectors left the experienced fast bowler out of the squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour. The omission follows his earlier exclusion from the five-match T20I series, prompting renewed questions about his place in India’s plans and the likelihood of a comeback.

Shami last represented India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025. Since then, he has continued playing domestic cricket and produced strong bowling figures, but those performances have not persuaded selectors to bring him back into the international setup. While the BCCI has not publicly explained the decision, reports suggest that his fitness and capacity to manage a heavy workload remain concerns for the team management.

Strong domestic performances have not secured a recall

The pace bowler’s recent record makes his continued absence notable. Representing East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy, Shami claimed seven wickets across three matches. He was even more productive in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, taking 37 wickets in seven appearances for Bengal at an impressive average of 16.72.

Shami also made an encouraging start to the 2026–27 Ranji Trophy campaign. Against Delhi, he took four wickets for 30 runs in the first innings and added another wicket for 29 in the second. His workload in that match included 17.3 overs in the opening innings—evidence that he can still bowl extended spells in domestic conditions.

Those numbers strengthen the case for his selection, particularly for Test cricket, where experience and the ability to maintain pressure over long periods are valuable. However, selectors appear to be assessing more than match-by-match performance. International cricket brings a demanding schedule, higher intensity and frequent travel, so the team may be weighing Shami’s ability to sustain a full workload over a series rather than his effectiveness in individual domestic games.

Fitness concerns reportedly shape selection decisions

An Indian Express journalist reported on social media that selectors and team management remain uncertain about Shami’s fitness, despite his participation in the Ranji Trophy. The report said the concern centres on whether he can consistently bowl long spells at international level, with younger fast bowlers consequently receiving greater attention.

There has been no official confirmation from the BCCI that fitness was the reason for Shami’s exclusion. Without a formal explanation, the precise thinking behind the decision remains unclear. Still, the reported concerns help explain why strong domestic figures have not automatically translated into a national recall.

For Shami, the challenge may now be to demonstrate not just that he can take wickets, but that he can do so reliably while handling the physical demands expected of an international fast bowler. Continued appearances in domestic competitions could offer selectors further evidence, although the final decision will depend on the team’s assessment of his readiness and the balance of its pace attack.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall draws comparisons

Shami’s omission has attracted extra attention because India has recalled another experienced fast bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to the T20I squad for the New Zealand tour. Bhuvneshwar, also 36, had previously returned for the fifth and final T20I against the West Indies.

The contrast has led fans to ask why one veteran has been given another opportunity while Shami remains outside the squads. The two bowlers, however, offer different skills and are being considered for different roles. Bhuvneshwar’s selection for T20 cricket does not necessarily indicate that the selectors have reached the same conclusion about Shami’s suitability for the longer formats or his current physical condition.

Selection decisions are also shaped by squad requirements, format-specific plans and the availability of other players. India’s preference for younger pace options may reflect a longer-term strategy to build depth, especially as the team manages workloads across a crowded international calendar. In that context, experience alone may not be enough to guarantee a place.

Shami’s international record keeps the comeback debate alive

Shami’s career record explains why his absence continues to prompt discussion. He has taken 229 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 27.71 and 206 wickets in ODIs at 24.05. He was also India’s leading wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing the tournament with 24 wickets and reinforcing his reputation as one of the country’s most effective seam bowlers.

His last Test appearance came in the World Test Championship final in June 2023, while his most recent India appearance was the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. At franchise level, he took six wickets in nine matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025 before claiming 12 wickets in 13 games for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026.

These figures underline his ability to contribute, but they do not settle the question of whether he can meet the demands of a new international assignment. Fast-bowling selection often involves balancing proven skill against fitness, recovery time and future planning. Shami’s record gives him a compelling case on performance, while the reported workload concerns appear to be the main obstacle to his return.

What the latest snub means for Shami’s India future

The New Zealand tour omission does not, by itself, confirm that Shami’s international career is over. However, missing out on the T20I, ODI and Test squads is a clear indication that he is not currently part of the selectors’ immediate plans. His comeback prediction will depend on whether he can continue producing strong performances and persuade decision-makers that he is ready for the demands of international cricket.

For now, the situation remains unresolved. Shami has demonstrated his wicket-taking ability in domestic competition, but selectors appear to want greater assurance about his fitness and capacity to sustain long spells. Until the BCCI provides clarity or Shami earns a recall, his place in India’s future plans will remain a subject of debate among supporters and cricket observers alike.

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