Mohammad Shami has been in very good form for Bengal in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy 2025. He has taken 16 wickets in seven matches, including two four-wicket hauls.

However, despite very good performances in domestic cricket, Shami finds himself out of contention for the Indian team selection. Shami had made his India return in the England series early this year after recovering from an ankle injury he had suffered after the 2023 World Cup.

Shami was part of India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament but hasn’t played for India since. His performance in IPL 2025 wasn’t very good, and then BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that when Shami was asked to travel to the UK for the England Test series, he refused, citing fitness issues.

Since then, Shami has done well for Bengal in domestic cricket in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy and now in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy tournament.

Sourav Ganguly, the president of the CAB and a former captain of India, has acknowledged the pacer's abilities. According to Ganguly, Shami is completely fit to represent India in all three formats once more.

“I hope the selectors are watching Shami's performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I hope there is proper communication between the selectors and Shami. If you ask me in terms of fitness and skills, I really don't see any reason why he can't keep playing Test matches, One-Day cricket, and T20Is for India because his skill is enormous," said Ganguly.  

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh had earlier criticized the squad management for Shami's exclusion, saying that they consistently overlook talented bowlers.

"Where is Shami? I don't know why Shami is not playing. I get it, you have Prasidh; he is a good bowler, but he still has a lot to learn. You had good bowlers, and you have slowly sidelined them. With Bumrah, this is a different bowling attack, and without Bumrah, it is an entirely different attack altogether. We have to learn the art of winning games without Jasprit Bumrah," said Harbhajan.

Harbhajan feels India doesn't have enough match-winners with the ball in white-ball cricket and calls it a huge area of concern.

"In England, without Bumrah, Siraj was unbelievable, fantastic. India won all the tests where Bumrah did not feature. But, in shorter formats, we need to find people who can win you games, whether it be fast bowling or spin. Find spinners who can come in and take wickets. There is Kuldeep, but what about the rest?" he added.