Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday dismissed the suggestion that veteran pace bowler Mohammed Shami is being “neglected” by the Indian selectors, stating that the veteran pacer “has played a lot” and remains “an absolute champion” as well. However, Shami has been out of the national team since the Champions Trophy 2025, where he played an important role in India’s title-winning campaign. He has since continued to turn out in domestic cricket, including helping East Zone win the Duleep Trophy after 13 years on Thursday as well.

“What makes me happy for Shami is that he turns out day in and day out in domestic cricket and performs. It is terrific to see. He has achieved so much,” Ganguly said.

Asked about Mohammed Shami’s chances of making a comeback for the 2027 ODI World Cup, Ganguly said that it was too early to make a prediction about this.

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“That’s a long way. I can’t comment. It’s in October (next year). It’s a long way,” he said. “He is not being neglected. He has played a lot. He is an absolute champion. But as you grow older, this happens. When I got left out from World Cup one-day cricket for a year, after scoring 10,000 runs, I found my way to come back. So this happens with everyone.”

Talking to reporters at the Eden Gardens, Ganguly further congratulated the East Zone side for winning the Duleep Trophy after a long wait as well. Ganguly was optimistic about Ishan Kishan’s Test comeback as well. Ganguly also applauded East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan for his performances in the Duleep Trophy and backed him to target a return to Test cricket.

“I spoke to Kishan this afternoon. It’s terrific and remarkable. Every young player wants to play Test cricket, and hopefully he will. He played exceptionally well in all the finals of the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali, and Duleep Trophy,” he concluded. “If he performs, I think for every young player Test cricket should be important. They must want to play Test cricket and hopefully he will. He gets runs in big matches…. Vijay Hazare final, Mushtaq final, Duleep Trophy final.”