Shami hasn't played an international match for India since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final.
Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami has reacted to Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s return to the Indian team, saying that latter’s selection doesn’t concern him.
Bhuvneshwar was recalled to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour after a four-year absence on the back of impressive domestic and IPL performances.
Shami, 36, last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite proving his fitness and form in domestic cricket for Bengal, he has faced continued omission from the national set-up.
While the ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand are yet to be finalized, rumours are rife that the Pragyan Ojha-led selection panel may favor experience and pick Shami in the squad.
However, Shami downplayed the mounting selection speculation, stating that he remains fully focused on his upcoming domestic commitments with Bengal.
“Bhuvneshwar Kumar got the chance to play for India, and that’s good for him. But his selection doesn’t concern me. Wherever I get the chance to play, I will give my best. Right now, my focus is firmly on this Ranji match,” Shami quoted as saying by RevSportz.
Shami said he has delivered strong performances and proven his match fitness over the past two to three years, asserting that missing out on further selections for India is not his loss.
“The same thing has been happening with me for the last two or three years. I have been performing and have proved my fitness for Bengal. If I don’t get the chance to play for India again, it’s not my loss,” he added.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also addressed Shami's situation during a press conference leading up to the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi, clarifying that the ultimate decision lies with the national selection panel.
“First of all, I am not a selector, so it is difficult for me to tell you that. But Shami is also playing and he is also doing well. If the selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected,” Kotak remarked.
Shami will be in action during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy opener against Delhi, starting October 11 at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani.