The question about the reasons behind Mohammad Shami’s continuous snub from the Indian team has been burning in the minds of cricket fans. Many of the experts and fans have put down the rejection to Shami’s age, as the pacer is 36 years old, but former India opener Aakash Chopra has rebutted that notion.
Mohammad Shami was the highest wicket-taker in India’s dominant run to the 2023 World Cup final, including a career best of 7/57 against New Zealand in the final. Then he suffered a knee injury and underwent surgery for it. It took more than 18 months for Shami to recover, and he returned just before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
He played for India in the ICC event in Dubai, and that remains the last time he donned the blue jersey. Since then, despite Shami doing well in the domestic circuit for Bengal, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee has looked past him while choosing India’s pace attack for various series and ICC events.
Some experts and fans have raised concerns about whether Shami has been kept out of the national team partially because of his age, given his consistent performance in domestic cricket. They argue that BCCI should not dismiss Shami due to his age, considering the fact that there are many experienced fast bowlers like Mitchell Starc, who perform well for their respective countries.
However, Aakash Chopra ruled out the idea that Shami’s exclusion is because of age alone.
"There is a stark difference between Mohammed Shami and Mitchell Starc. Starc has remained fit and played continuously, and whenever he has returned to action, he has spearheaded the (Australian) attack. No question can be raised over his form, fitness, and sharpness.
Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, has had injuries. He had surgery and then spent time out of action. When he returned to domestic cricket, there were question marks over his pace and whether he was in full swing. He did take wickets, but that intensity appeared to be lacking," Chopra said in a video with CREX.
Chopra cited the examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to dispel the notion that Mohammad Shami has been ignored by selectors due to age, saying that the veteran batters are still being picked in the Indian team.
"Is Shami's age going against him? I think that would be preposterous. It makes no sense whatsoever to drop someone because of his age, because you are still selecting veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I don't think age is the factor. At some point, the selectors will spell out the reason, but I don't think it is age," Chopra concluded.
Shami recently completed 100 first-class matches after appearing for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final.
