Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has been omitted from India’s Test squad for the high-stakes five-match series against England, raising serious questions about the future of the 34-year-old in the longest format of the game. The decision, announced on Saturday by BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar, could potentially signal the end of Shami’s storied Test career.
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Shami, once considered India’s pace spearhead alongside Jasprit Bumrah, has not featured in red-ball cricket since the 2023 World Cup. According to a report, Shami did not heed requests from the Indian team management to join the squad during the Australia series, citing that his body wasn’t ready to endure the rigours of Test cricket.
Sources close to the selection committee revealed that despite efforts to build match fitness through white-ball cricket, Shami continues to struggle with recovery and stamina—factors that have influenced the selectors’ reluctance to include him for a series of such magnitude.
“If Mohammed Shami isn’t available in Australia or England, why would the selectors pick him against West Indies and South Africa at home? They might as well use Akash Deep, Arshdeep, Harshit or Mukesh as Siraj or Bumrah’s partner,” a former national selector told.
Shami’s most recent red-ball appearance came in a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, where he bowled 43 overs. However, his performances in the IPL 2025 season for Sunrisers Hyderabad have been underwhelming, with only six wickets in nine matches.
Adding to the controversy are murmurs from within the Bengal cricketing circuit suggesting Shami may be older than his officially listed age of 34, allegedly closer to 40. While unverified, such rumours have compounded concerns about his long-term fitness and durability.
The selectors, wary of taking a gamble ahead of a major series, opted for younger pace options who have shown promise in domestic and IPL circuits. With no clear timeline for Shami’s return to full fitness, his Test career now hangs in the balance.