Mohammed Shami has not been included in India’s squad for the upcoming Test tour of England.
The experienced pacer also missed the recent Australia tour. This has sparked questions about whether Shami is becoming an irregular feature in India’s Test setup. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has clarified that Shami has not yet fully recovered from injury, which is why he was left out.
Shami last played for India in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Since then, he has been sidelined due to injury. He made a brief return earlier this year during the T20I series against England, after having played some domestic cricket.
During his domestic stint, there were whispers that Shami wasn’t too keen on returning to Test cricket just yet. Though he has recovered from back and knee injuries, he’s reportedly still struggling to bowl long spells—something crucial for the five-day format. While he featured in the IPL, the physical toll of Test cricket remains a concern.
Speaking after the squad announcement, Agarkar said, “Shami is not fully fit. We had hoped to have him available, but that’s not the case. He’s a fantastic cricketer and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
There remains a possibility that Shami could be added to the squad mid-tour if he regains fitness. Similar expectations were raised during the Australia series earlier this year, with reports suggesting he might join after the third Test—but that never materialized.
UA / TDS
