Beginning on August 28, the seasoned pacer may return to competition in the Duleep Trophy.
With its original inter-zonal framework, this First-Class competition may provide the ideal setting for Shami’s return.
Mohammed Shami: The Veteran Pacer’s Road Ahead
Mohammed Shami, one of India’s most experienced and lethal pacers, has carved a remarkable legacy in international cricket. Having played 64 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 25 T20Is, Shami last represented Team India in the Champions Trophy in early 2025.
Despite being one of the costlier bowlers for India during the tournament with an economy rate of 5.68 runs per over, Shami impressed with nine wickets in five matches. His haul was on par with spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who took the same number of wickets in just three games.
Shami’s Struggles in IPL 2025
The 2025 IPL season was not kind to Shami. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the veteran pacer had a disappointing outing, claiming only six wickets in nine matches at a high economy rate of 11.23.
This dip in form came after Shami made his comeback from ankle surgery and knee issues, which had kept him out of action for a significant period. He returned to competitive cricket in the 2024–25 domestic season, following his last international appearance in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023.
Bengal’s Strong Squad for Domestic Season
In a bid to dominate the upcoming domestic season, Bengal has released a power-packed probables list. Shami has been named alongside prominent players like:
Abhimanyu Easwaran
Akash Deep
Mukesh Kumar
Shahbaz Ahmed
Abishek Porel
This lineup indicates Bengal’s serious intent to be a strong contender in the Ranji and other domestic tournaments.
Injury Woes Continue: Left Out of England Test Series
Shami’s fitness has been a growing concern for the Indian team. He was excluded from the squad for the England Test series earlier this year.
BCCI’s selection committee chairman, Ajit Agarkar, disclosed that Shami underwent multiple MRIs, which unfortunately revealed fresh injury concerns. Following this, the BCCI medical team declared him unfit for the entire tour.
It’s a significant setback for India, especially considering Shami’s stellar red-ball record. The pacer has 229 Test wickets in 64 matches, averaging 27.71 with the ball. His last Test appearance was in June 2023.