Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Mohammed Shami Reaches 100 First-Class Games Seeking India Return
Mohammed Shami is an Indian fast bowler who still loves bowling.
He has not played for India recently, but he has continued playing domestic cricket.
He is about to play his 100th first-class match for East Zone.
His captain says Shami asks to bowl whenever the team needs wickets.
Shami missed nearly a year after ankle surgery.
He returned for the 2025 Champions Trophy and then kept working in domestic matches.
Former coach Bharat Arun says Shami still has plenty of cricket left.
Arun believes age should not matter when a player is performing well.
Shami hopes his hard work can help him return to India’s team.
Mohammed Shami is set to play his 100th first-class match for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final.
The 36-year-old has not played for India for 545 days or appeared in a Test for 1,182 days.
Shami returned from ankle surgery to play in the 2025 Champions Trophy and has since continued taking wickets domestically.
Captain Ishan Kishan says Shami regularly asks for the ball and remains motivated to return to India’s squad.
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun believes India should not have excluded Shami because his performances and durability remain strong.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami, East Zone, captain Ishan Kishan, and former India bowling coach Bharat Arun.
- What
- Shami is preparing to play his 100th first-class match while pursuing a return to India’s team.
- When
- He is scheduled to play on Sunday; the article says he last played for India 545 days earlier and last played a Test 1,182 days earlier.
- Where
- The Duleep Trophy final will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
- Why
- Shami has continued playing domestic cricket and taking wickets after injury in an effort to remain available for India.
Case for Shami’s recall
Case for continued exclusion
Age versus performance
Case for Shami’s recall
Bharat Arun argues that age should not be a factor while Shami continues performing and showing durability.
Case for continued exclusion
Shami has remained outside India’s team despite being 36 and having spent significant time away after ankle surgery; the article does not state the selectors’ specific reasoning.
Domestic cricket and international selection
Case for Shami’s recall
Shami’s continued wickets, long spells, and strong motivation are presented as evidence that he remains capable of an international comeback.
Case for continued exclusion
His recent work has largely come in domestic cricket rather than for India, and the article does not confirm that he will be recalled.
- Player
- Mohammed Shami
- Age
- 36
- Milestone
- 100th first-class match
- Team
- East Zone
- Opponent
- South Zone
- International absence
- 545 days since his last appearance for India
- Test absence
- 1,182 days since his last Test
- 2023 World Cup record
- 23 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70