Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Kaif Calls for Clarity After Shami Is Left Out of India Test Squad
India has left Mohammed Shami out of its squad for the New Zealand Test series.
Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif says selectors should explain why the fast bowler was not picked.
Shami was the leading wicket-taker at the 2023 ODI World Cup, taking 24 wickets in seven matches.
He has also taken wickets for Bengal in domestic cricket, including five in the opening match of the new Ranji Trophy season.
Selectors have raised concerns about his fitness and readiness for Test cricket, while Kaif argues that his domestic performances deserve consideration.
Shami last played for India in March 2025, and his most recent Test was the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
India’s New Zealand tour includes two Tests, but the selectors have not publicly explained Shami’s latest omission in the information provided.
Mohammad Kaif called on the BCCI selectors to explain why Mohammed Shami was left out of India’s squad for the New Zealand Test series.
Kaif said Shami’s domestic performances and record warranted transparency about the decision.
Shami took 37 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal last season, according to India Today.
Reports cited concerns about Shami’s fitness and readiness for the demands of Test cricket.
Shami last played a Test in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
- Who
- Mohammad Kaif urged the BCCI selectors to explain Shami’s omission.
- What
- Kaif called for transparency after Shami was left out of India’s squad for the New Zealand Test series.
- When
- The reports were published on October 18 and 19, 2026.
- Where
- The squad was for India’s tour of New Zealand.
- Why
- Kaif said Shami’s record and domestic performances warranted an explanation. Reports cited concerns about his fitness and match readiness.
Mohammad Kaif
India selectors
Transparency
Mohammad Kaif
Kaif said selectors should explain why Shami was omitted, given his domestic performances.
India selectors
Reports cited concerns about Shami’s fitness and readiness for the demands of Test cricket.
Short spells
Mohammad Kaif
Kaif argued that bowling short spells should not, by itself, rule Shami out, pointing to Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management.
India selectors
Shami’s short spells in domestic red-ball matches were cited as a reason selectors were not confident he could handle Test workloads.
Shami made his last Test appearance in the World Test Championship final against Australia.
Shami last played for India, according to News18.
Ajit Agarkar said selectors had not discussed a Test comeback and that available information suggested Shami’s body was suited to T20 cricket at the time.
Reports said Kaif had called for transparency after Shami was omitted from India’s New Zealand Test squad.
- New Zealand Test series
- Two matches
- Shami’s last Test
- World Test Championship final against Australia, June 2023
- Ranji wickets
- 37 in seven matches for Bengal last season
- Ranji average
- 16.72 last season
- New Zealand Test record
- 15 wickets across four Tests
- New Zealand ODI record
- 27 wickets in 12 ODIs at an average of 22.44
4 sources
BCCI Blasted For Lack Of Transparency Over Mohammed Shami's Omission
No Mohammed Shami, No 2023 ODI World Cup Final: Ex-Cricketer Demands 'Accountability' From Selectors
Why Shami isn't being picked: Kaif wants clarity from BCCI after NZ tour snub
What people are saying
No questions are asked, no BCCI selector explains the decisions, there’s no accountability. You’ve to keep transparency.
I believe there should be transparency. Come forward and tell us what the reason is. He is doing everything right. He is playing Ranji, he is taking wickets, what could possibly be the reason?
Go and ask the New Zealand batters about who they would not want to face. The first bowler that they will name is Mohammed Shami.
I am telling you this, if you tell New Zealand batters that Mohammed Shami is not coming, they will be breathing a sigh of relief as we speak,