Shami’s last appearance for India was during the ODI World Cup 2023.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday (January 18) expressed confidence in the fitness of senior pacer Mohammad Shami ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, slated to be held in Pakistan and UAE from February 19 to March 9.
Shami’s last appearance for India was during the ODI World Cup 2023, where he finished as the leading wicket-taker. Subsequently, the right-arm quick underwent a surgery for his heel issue in February 2024 and made a comeback to domestic cricket in November 2024.
However, Shami failed to regain fitness in time for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, which further raised concerns about his fitness.
Before the Champions Trophy, Shami will feature in the white-ball series (five T20Is and three ODIs) against England at home, starting January 22 in Kolkata.
"I don't think his fitness was anything to do with white-ball cricket anyway. We were trying to get him to Australia. Unfortunately, his knee didn't allow him to play four-day or five-day cricket. With regards to white-ball, I think he has played most of the Syed Mushtaq Ali games and some of the Vijay Hazare games. With uncertainty around Jassi (Bumrah) as well, if he (Shami) is fit and playing regularly, the quality and the experience that he brings is invaluable,” said Agarkar in the press conference while announcing the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.
"To get him involved in T20is is precisely because of that. To get him back into international cricket and play under pressure. Even though it's T20I cricket, it will be high-intensity. He has got quality. If he was fit, he was always going to be part of the discussion. We are hoping he comes through these games and by the time the Champions Trophy comes, he is 100 percent,” he added.
Meanwhile, the chairman of selectors confirmed that ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah will remain absent from at least the first two ODIs against England in the three-match series.
Bumrah picked up a back injury during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney earlier this month. The 31-year-old has been picked in India's squad for the England ODIs and Champions Trophy but the BCCI will closely monitor his fitness before announcing his availability for the match.
Agarkar shared an update on Bumrah's projected return as he suggested that the physio has asked him to cut his workload for at least five weeks and the medical team will evaluate him in early February to get more clarity on his availability for Champions Trophy.
"Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won't be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team. We'll probably find out a bit more around that time, what exactly, and with regards to what his medical condition is, I'm sure BCCI might just put something out, from the physio itself," Agarkar told reporters.
However, the chief selector shied away from sharing details of Bumrah's injury but remained optimistic that the pace spearhead will return in time.
"It's better to come from the medical department than me trying to explain what exactly is wrong with him, but that's the time frame that we've been told, and hopefully it's okay after that, yeah, but we are very hopeful," he remarked.