Mohammed Shami’s India future in doubt after BCCI official makes sensational claim to newspaper: ‘He wasn’t too impressive’

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s international career could very well be over as the 35-year-old pacer was once again snubbed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia.

Shami was out of Team India for over a year and finally made a return in January this year against England after recovering from an ankle surgery and knee issues. His last match for India before his comeback in 2025 was the 2023 ODI World Cup final.

The Bengal fast bowler also led India to the Champions Trophy 2025 victory, but had a poor Indian Premier League (2025) with Sunrisers Hyderabad, taking just six wickets in nine matches at an economy of 11.23.

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Since then, he has not been a part of the Indian squad, missing out on big series like the Test tour of England and the Asia Cup 2025. Despite making regular appearances in domestic cricket, the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection panel has not been keen on picking Shami.

‘Shami wasn’t too impressive’

Now, a BCCI official has told The Telegraph that Shami would find it extremely tough to return to Team India as he has not been impressive in domestic matches and his pace is not improving anymore.

“At this moment, it’s getting increasingly tougher for Shami to return to the Indian team. In the Duleep game too, he wasn’t too impressive, barring one odd spell. Besides, he isn’t getting any younger, while pace-wise, too, he didn’t seem to be at his best in Duleep. But to continue in the IPL, he has to play a decent amount of domestic games,” a BCCI official told The Telegraph.

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The report added that Shami could be playing for Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy campaign, which starts against Uttarakhand on 15 October.

“I had spoken to Shami six-seven days back, and he had expressed his desire to play. So, on our front, we’re optimistic as far as his availability (in the Ranji opener) is concerned,” Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla said.

But a final decision on his inclusion will be taken by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).