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Sourav Ganguly Defends Mohammed Shami Amid India Team Omission
Mohammed Shami is an Indian fast bowler who has not played for India for more than a year.
He returned from an ankle injury and played in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Since then, selectors have not chosen him for the national team.
The chief selector said there were concerns about Shami’s fitness.
Shami has said he would not play domestic cricket if he were unfit.
Former captain Sourav Ganguly believes Shami is playing well and has not been ignored.
India has recently selected younger fast bowlers while Jasprit Bumrah is injured.
Shami then helped East Zone win the Duleep Trophy by taking seven wickets in the semifinal and final.
Mohammed Shami has been outside India’s team for more than a year since the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Selectors have cited fitness concerns involving the 36-year-old fast bowler.
Sourav Ganguly said Shami is performing consistently in domestic cricket and has not been neglected.
Ganguly compared Shami’s situation with his own return after a year away despite scoring 10,000 runs.
Shami took seven wickets across the Duleep Trophy semifinal and final as East Zone won the title.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami, Sourav Ganguly, India’s selectors and other Indian fast bowlers.
- What
- Shami’s continued omission from India’s team has prompted debate, while Ganguly defended his domestic performances.
- Where
- The comments were made in Kolkata, and Shami’s recent performances came in the Duleep Trophy for East Zone.
- When
- Shami has been out of the Indian team for more than a year after the 2025 Champions Trophy; the Duleep Trophy mentioned was held in 2026.
- Why
- Selectors have cited fitness concerns, while Ganguly said Shami is performing well and has not been neglected.
Selection Concerns
Case for Shami’s Return
Reason for omission
Selection Concerns
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has maintained that concerns about Shami’s fitness influenced his non-selection.
Case for Shami’s Return
Sourav Ganguly said Shami is performing consistently in domestic cricket and questioned why he has not been picked.
Experience versus youth
Selection Concerns
With Jasprit Bumrah injured, selectors chose younger pacers including Gurnoor Brar, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna across formats.
Case for Shami’s Return
Shami’s recent domestic performances, including seven wickets in the Duleep Trophy semifinal and final, provide a case for considering the experienced bowler.
Neglect or management
Selection Concerns
Shami’s absence from India for more than a year has led to debate over whether he is being overlooked.
Case for Shami’s Return
Ganguly rejected the characterization that Shami has been neglected, saying he has already played a lot.
Key facts
- Player
- Mohammed Shami
- Last cited India appearance
- The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
- Selectors’ concern
- Fitness
- Ganguly’s comparison
- He said he also spent a year out of India’s team after scoring 10,000 runs before making a comeback.
- Recent tournament
- 2026 Duleep Trophy
- Recent performance
- Seven wickets across the semifinal and final
- Team achievement
- East Zone won the Duleep Trophy after 13 years
Quotes
Sourav Ganguly
Former India captain speaking to reporters at Eden Gardens in Kolkata
“He is doing well day in and day out in domestic cricket. I, too, have not played for a year with the national team after scoring 10,000 runs, but have made a comeback. He is trying to do well don't know why he has not been picked. But he is doing well and is performing well”
livemint.com
“He has not been neglected. He played a lot”
livemint.com
Sources
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