The Ajit Agarkar led selection panel on Saturday announced the squad for the India vs England Tests starting on June 20. The likes of Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh earned their maiden call ups with Shubman Gill named skipper. However, Mohammed Shami found himself out of contention, all but signaling the end of his Test career.
End of the road for Mohammed Shami? Injury rules out pacer for IND vs ENG Tests
Mohammed Shami is one of India’s greatest Test match bowlers, but will have to watch the IND vs ENG series from afar. The veteran fast bowler was snubbed from the 16-man India squad for England Tests announced on Saturday. Shami last played a Test match in 2023, featuring in India’s World Test Championship Final loss to Australia at the Oval.
Shami has since undergone surgery and returned to the national team with the ODIs, but his form and fitness have been unconvincing. He has been part of India’s last three Test tours of England, in 2014, 2018 and 2021. However, his number in England aren’t great, averaging 40 with 42 wickets in 14 games. He picked 16 in 5 Tests in 2018.
“He’s had a little bit of a setback over the past week, got some MRIs done. Wasn’t going to be able to play five Tests. Don’t think his workload is where he needs to be. Medical guys told he’ll be ruled out. We were hoping he’ll play some part, but if he’s not fit, we’d rather pick guys fit and available rather than waiting,” Ajit Agarkar said in his press conference.
Shami was dropped by Sunrisers Hyderabad midway through IPL 2025. Agarkar confirms the veteran has faced a fresh injury. The BCCI already had concerns regarding his workload, with doubts on his ability to bowl. With seaming conditions in England, pacers will be required to bowl longer spells and his fitness to last in a 5-day was unknown.
What next for Mohammed Shami?
The India vs England snub certainly feels the end of the road for Mohammed Shami. His peers Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav all faded away after issues with fitness and form. Gautam Gambhir has trusted the new generation of pacers, with Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna filling in for Shami.
Since making his debut in 2013, Shami has featured in 64 Tests picking up 229 wickets. At 34, a comeback to the Test team seems unlikely for the veteran pacer. The Bengal pacer was hopeful of featuring in the IND vs ENG Tests, but admitted that he needed to increase his workload.
“I’m trying my best, doing hard work, performing strength exercises, attending practice sessions regularly, delivering maximum numbers of balls in the nets and managing my workload as much as possible. Red ball ke liye workload badhana padega (for red-ball cricket, the workload needs to be increased),” Shami said speaking to TOI.
The Men in Blue will certainly miss Shami’s experience in England. The veteran’s ability to swing the ball both ways and hold a length are valuable skills in the UK. India can now hope in his absence, the rest of the bowling attack can step up to the plate.
Mohammed Shami not fit for Test cricket: End of road for veteran pacer after India vs England Test snub? Inside Sport India.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Mohammed Shami not fit for Test cricket: End of road for veteran pacer after India vs England Test snub? )
Also on site :