Former India player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has said that Mohammad Shami’s non-inclusion in the BCCI’s 2025-26 central contracts gives an update about his future. He also added that the veteran pacer played for India during the observation period and had an important role in their Champions Trophy 2025 triumph as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Ishan Kishan’s name isn’t there because the observation period was from 1st Oct 2024 to 30th Sep 2025. What you did during that time period was important. You have been given contracts and the categories have been made after evaluating that. Ishan didn’t play at all in that period. In fact, he had even taken a break from cricket. So how will his name come?”

“Ishan Kishan is not there today, but he will come. Shami’s name is not there, although Shami had played in that time period. He played the Champions Trophy, picked up wickets, and lifted the trophy as well. His name not being there, I think that tells us how his future is,” he further added.

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However, Aakash Chopra also stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have rightly been demoted to Grade B.

“Rohit and Kohli are now not part of Grade A+, and they have been demoted to Grade B. To be honest, it makes sense because you cannot be in Grade A+ or Grade A if you are a one-format player. Garde A+ has been removed. Only three players are in Grade A – Shubman Gill, who is a two-format player, Jasprit Bumrah, who is a three-format player, and Ravindra Jadeja, who is a two-format player, and there too it’s going slightly 50-50 in ODIs,” Chopra shared.

“I am thinking that if you have kept two-format players in Grade A, what wrong have Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul done? They also play two formats. Kuldeep Yadav plays three formats. Axar Patel is the T20I vice-captain, plays and will play ODIs, and he is always available for Tests. He has been put in Grade C,” Aakash Chopra concluded.