A couple of years ago, Mohammed Shami was at the absolute peak of his powers. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, the veteran pacer was almost unplayable — dismantling batting line-ups with pace, swing, and seam movement. His fiery spells played a vital role in India’s unbeaten run to the final, and he ended as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
What made his performance even more remarkable was the revelation that he was battling through a persistent ankle injury, reportedly taking injections to stay fit enough to bowl. However, since that glorious campaign, Shami’s career trajectory has taken a concerning turn. Injuries, fitness issues, and inconsistent form have combined to slow down one of India’s most feared fast bowlers.
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After undergoing ankle surgery that kept him out for more than a year, Shami made a gradual return to competitive cricket before reclaiming his India spot. He was even included in the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, where he briefly reminded fans of his brilliance with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh. But that flash of old magic turned out to be short-lived.
Mohammed Shami hasn’t been able to impress the India selectors as his chances of international comeback continue to diminish#IndianCricket #Cricket #MohammedShami #IndianBowler #IndianCricketTeam https://t.co/ah8fl6U7ZL
— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 8, 2025
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar recently commented that there were “no fresh updates” on Shami’s situation and emphasised that the pacer would need to play a minimum number of matches to stay in contention for India selection.
His recent performance in the Duleep Trophy, unfortunately, did little to strengthen his case. Representing East Zone, Shami managed just one wicket for 136 runs across 34 overs in Bengaluru — numbers far below his usual standards.
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A BCCI official told The Telegraph that Shami “didn’t seem at his best,” adding that age and a slight dip in pace are becoming noticeable factors. Despite these challenges, the 35-year-old remains determined. Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla revealed that Shami has expressed his strong desire to play in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, signalling that the veteran pacer isn’t done yet.
