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Aakash Chopra Rejects Age Theory Behind Shami’s India Snub
Mohammed Shami is an experienced Indian fast bowler who has not played for India since March 2025.
He has had injuries and surgery, which kept him away from cricket.
After returning, he played domestic matches and continued taking wickets.
However, some people questioned whether his bowling was still fast and intense enough.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra says age is not the main reason Shami has been left out.
He noted that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are older but remain selected.
Chopra said Shami’s fitness, form and the selectors’ plans are more important questions.
Shami will need strong performances and fitness to improve his chances of returning.
Aakash Chopra said age should not be the decisive reason for Mohammed Shami’s continued absence from India’s team.
Shami, 36, has been out of international cricket since March 2025 after injury setbacks and surgery.
Chopra said concerns instead involve Shami’s pace, sharpness and intensity after returning to domestic cricket.
Shami took 37 Ranji Trophy wickets and later played for East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy final.
Chopra contrasted Shami with fit, continuously active Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc and cited Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as older veterans still selected by India.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami and former India opener Aakash Chopra are central to the discussion; India’s selectors determine team selection.
- What
- Chopra challenged the view that Shami’s age explains his continued exclusion from India’s international team.
- Where
- Shami has been rebuilding his case through Indian domestic cricket, including the Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy.
- When
- Shami has been absent from international cricket since March 2025; he played in the 2026 Duleep Trophy final.
- Why
- Questions remain about his post-injury pace, sharpness, intensity and fitness, while selectors assess plans for India’s fast-bowling unit.
Chopra’s assessment
Reasons for selection concerns
Role of age
Chopra’s assessment
Aakash Chopra said it would be unreasonable to exclude Shami simply because of his age, noting that India still selects older veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Reasons for selection concerns
The article says selectors’ specific explanation has not yet been stated, while Shami’s age remains part of public scrutiny over his future.
Post-injury readiness
Chopra’s assessment
Chopra argued that age is not the decisive issue and that Shami can continue making his case through performances and fitness.
Reasons for selection concerns
Shami’s injuries, surgery and time away have raised questions about his pace, sharpness and ability to sustain international-level intensity after returning.
Comparison with Mitchell Starc
Chopra’s assessment
Chopra said Mitchell Starc has remained fit, played continuously and led Australia’s attack whenever he returned, making the comparison with Shami unfavorable to Shami.
Reasons for selection concerns
Shami’s disrupted career and inconsistent return from injury mean that his form and fitness cannot be assessed in the same way as Starc’s, according to Chopra.
Key facts
- Age
- Mohammed Shami is 36.
- International absence
- Shami has been out of international cricket since March 2025.
- Injury history
- He underwent surgery and spent time away from cricket before returning to domestic competition.
- Ranji Trophy wickets
- Shami took 37 wickets in the Ranji Trophy, according to Chopra’s earlier assessment.
- Duleep Trophy appearance
- He played for East Zone in the 2026 Duleep Trophy final, which was his 100th first-class appearance.
- Potential future
- Chopra has previously said Shami had a slightly stronger case than Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a possible 2027 ODI World Cup return.
Quotes
Aakash Chopra
Former India opener and cricket analyst
“Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, has had injuries. He had a surgery and then spent time out of action. When he returned to domestic cricket, there were question marks over his pace and whether he was in full swing. He did take wickets, but that intensity appeared to be lacking”
livemint.com
“There is a stark difference between Mohammed Shami and Mitchell Starc. Starc has remained fit and played continuously, and whenever he has returned to action, he has spearheaded the Australian attack. No question can be raised over his form, fitness and sharpness”
livemint.com
Sources
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