article by Suvankar Roy
Mohammed Shami, the man whose fiery spells during the 2023 World Cup remain etched in the memory of every cricket fan, is knocking loudly on the doors of the national team once again. After nearly a year on the sidelines, the veteran pacer appears primed for a grand return to the international arena.
Shami’s last appearance in the blue jersey was during the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. Since then, a combination of middling IPL form and persistent fitness concerns saw him lose his spot, even missing out on the high-profile Test tour of England. At the time, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar sent a clear message: Shami would have to prove both his match fitness and his rhythm in the domestic circuit before being considered for selection.
Dominating the Domestic Circuit
Taking that challenge head-on, Shami has been relentless. After a clinical display in the Ranji Trophy, he carried that momentum into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, showing flashes of the elite pace and seam position that made him a world-class threat. While a T20I comeback isn’t currently on the cards, his performance in the longer formats has been undeniable.
In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shami has been the linchpin of Bengal’s bowling attack, scalping 8 wickets in just 4 matches. His contributions have been pivotal, leading Bengal to victory in three of their four outings so far.
The Road Ahead: New Zealand Series
Sources close to the player reveal that Shami has been putting in grueling hours behind the scenes and remains highly optimistic about regaining his spot in the ODI squad. While no official word has been handed down yet, those in his inner circle believe the wait is almost over.
The cricketing world is buzzing with anticipation that Shami could return for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on January 11. With the squad announcement expected on January 3 or 4, all eyes will be on the selection committee to see if India’s premier swing specialist is ready to lead the attack once more.