Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Shami's Domestic Form Keeps 2027 World Cup Return Possible
Mohammed Shami is a fast bowler who has not played for India since March 2025.
He has continued playing for Bengal and other domestic teams.
In one domestic season, he took many wickets in several competitions.
He also took seven wickets for East Zone in a Duleep Trophy-winning campaign.
Those performances show he is still bowling regularly.
His IPL results in 2025 and 2026 were less impressive, with 18 wickets in 22 matches.
Shami was India's top wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup.
He could be considered for India again, but selectors will decide whether he plays in the November series against New Zealand.
Mohammed Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025.
In the 2025-26 domestic season, he took 15 Vijay Hazare Trophy wickets in seven matches for Bengal.
He claimed 37 Ranji Trophy wickets in seven matches and 16 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy wickets in seven appearances that season.
Shami took seven wickets for East Zone during its victorious 2026-27 Duleep Trophy campaign and reached 100 first-class appearances.
His IPL record across 2025 and 2026 was 18 wickets in 22 matches, while selection for India's November ODI series against New Zealand remains uncertain.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami, the veteran fast bowler, and India's national selectors.
- What
- Shami's domestic performances have kept open the possibility of an India return, while his international future remains uncertain.
- When
- The article discusses the 2025-26 and 2026-27 domestic seasons and a possible return in November.
- Where
- In domestic cricket for Bengal and East Zone, and potentially for India against New Zealand.
- Why
- His domestic wicket-taking record suggests continued form and bowling workload ahead of future ODI assignments.
- India ODI record
- 108 matches and 206 wickets
- Last India appearance
- Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025
- 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy
- 15 wickets in seven matches for Bengal
- 2025-26 Ranji Trophy
- 37 wickets in seven matches as Bengal reached the semifinals
- 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
- 16 wickets in seven appearances
- 2026-27 Duleep Trophy
- Seven wickets for East Zone, which won the tournament; Shami also completed 100 first-class appearances
- Recent IPL record
- 18 wickets in 22 matches across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, at about 10 runs per over
- 2023 ODI World Cup
- 24 wickets in seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls