Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has advocated for Mohammad Shami’s return to the national side, lauding the veteran pacer’s impressive form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy for Bengal.
Ganguly dismissed concerns about Shami’s fitness after the right-arm quick delivered standout performances in his first three matches of the season.
Shami’s international career faces uncertainty after he recently slammed the selectors over a lack of communication following his snub from the Indian white-ball squads for the Australia tour.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the allegations, citing that the senior fast bowler was not considered for selection due to fitness concerns.
Shami's last appearance for India was during the Champions Trophy 2025 triumph in March, and he continues to grind hard in domestic cricket in an attempt to don the national jersey again.
The 35-year-old has so far taken 15 wickets to power Bengal to successive wins in their first two Ranji Trophy matches against Uttarakhand and Gujarat before going wicketless against Tripura. More importantly, he has bowled 91 overs in three matches this season to prove his match fitness.
"Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit and we saw in the three Ranji Trophy matches, where he's won Bengal on his own,” Ganguly said on Monday after being announced as the global brand ambassador of Kabuni, a UK-based AI-driven sports coaching platform.
Shami has also been overlooked in the Test squad for the upcoming series against South Africa at home, and with no red-ball assignments for India over the next six months, it is highly unlikely for him to make a return in the longest format.
However, Ganguly backed Shami to make a full-fledged return to international cricket, emphasizing that the experienced campaigner still possesses fitness, skill, and hunger.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching and there is a communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammad Shami we know of. So, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches, One-day cricket and T20 cricket for India. Because that skill is enormous,” he added.
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
