Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Mohammad Shami has a place in the Indian side for the upcoming series. He added that Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to play the home Tests and every international game as well, thereby opening up a spot for a second seamer along with Mohammed Siraj as well. However, Shami wasn’t picked in the Indian team for the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “I think the selectors aren’t convinced. It’s about the eye test, as to what you feel. The numbers and playing matches are on one side, but now you go and see whether he is running that fast, has the rhythm, and is consistently bowling 140 kph, and if he is not doing that, you say you don’t want to go there.”

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“I think there is a place. There will always be a place for Shami because Bumrah won’t play the home Tests, and Bumrah won’t play all the matches. That’s a reality. So Siraj is left, but who along with Siraj? You will need Prasidh Krishna in Test matches, but what’s wrong if it’s Shami? So I do feel there is a place,” Chopra shared.

However, Aakash Chopra added that Mohammad Shami needs to convince the selectors and the Indian management that he has regained his rhythm as well.

“Domestic cricket is a great space where you go and pick up wickets consistently. Even if he doesn’t take wickets, Shami doesn’t need wickets, it’s about the rhythm, and that rhythm should convince the selectors, captain, and coach because at this point in time, what is lacking is that the selectors aren’t convinced. Shami is absolutely right in his place if he is unhappy about not being selected, but the truth is also that the selectors have a point of view, and that is why you give them crores of rupees to select players after watching matches and practice. It’s a judgment call and it’s not going in Shami’s favor at the moment,” Aakash Chopra concluded.