Former India opener Aakash Chopra has shown faith in Mohammad Shami's return to the Indian team and stated that while there are lots of rumors about his retirement floating around, he doesn’t see the end of the pacer’s career this soon.
Mohammad Shami, who made his India return in the England series at home this year and was part of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad, has been continuously snubbed from the team when it comes to Test cricket.
Shami couldn’t go on the England Test tour due to fitness reasons and, since then, has not been chosen for the home series against West Indies or the upcoming series against South Africa. While BCCI has highlighted Shami’s fitness and rhythm issues, the pacer has quashed all such rumors with brilliant performances in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 tournament.
As speculation about Shami's likely international retirement grew on social media following his non-selection for the South Africa series, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra reassured fans that no decision on the seamer's future had been made.
"I won't say that it's curtains. Many on social media are claiming that you won't see Shami playing for India again. I don't think that's the case. No such verdict has been passed by the jury. He can get a chance again, provided he keeps picking up wickets and lasts an entire season," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
India has picked Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming South Africa Tests. The likes of Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Khaleel Ahmed are also waiting in the wings.
Despite the selection committee's evident goal to construct a team for the future, Chopra believes Shami will soon return to the national team.
"There are a lot of vacant slots for premier fast bowlers. There are injuries and workload management as well. There are a lot of matches being played across formats, so I don't think that will be an issue. Don't worry about it. Shami's name will come," Chopra stated.
Mohammad Shami, who last played a Test for India in the WTC 2023 final at the Oval, has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and 206 wickets in 108 ODIs for India. He has also played 25 T20Is, taking 27 wickets.
