Are India making mistake by not recalling Mohammed Shami in ODIs?
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Mohammed Shami last played an ODI for India in the Champions Trophy 2025.
India’s preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 are in full swing. They started with the series against Afghanistan in June which they won 3-0. Following the same, they are playing an ODI series against England in July.
India are set to play crucial ODIs against West Indies, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka this year. They will host the Windies on the home soil, while, will be on away tours for the other two.
India’s ODI bowling unit has taken a hit in the recent times with the lack of experience and heaps of injuries coming in. Due to the unavailability of many frontline bowlers, Indian management has been forced to pick newer faces in the squads.
However, one player whose absence has raised questions several times has been Mohammed Shami. Despite many frontline pacers missing out, Shami has not been picked in the side since more than a year.
Why is Mohammed Shami not getting recalled in ODIs?
The Indian Men’s ODI team has faced many hurdles with the lack of quality in fast bowling. Jasprit Bumrah staged his comeback to the format after more than two years in the England series; however, he missed the third match because of an impact injury on his knee.
Mohammed Siraj too, has not been picked in the ODI setup regularly, perhaps due to his inefficiency post the powerplay phase and lack of wicket-taking in recent times.
Moreover, injuries to Hardik Pandya, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy – India’s primary bowling all-rounders in white ball, has troubled India even more. All of them have been instrumental in India’s ODI setup.
Despite major pacers missing out from the ODI setup in recent times, Indian management and selectors have not gone back to Mohammed Shami. He played his last ODI for India in March 2025, playing the Champions Trophy Final.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, he picked 12 wickets in 13 matches, playing for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He has played every domestic tournament in the past year, ranging from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as the Ranji Trophy.
In the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, he finished as the premier pacer, with 37 wickets at an average of 16.7. He claimed 15 wickets in 7 games of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well, he picked 16 wickets in 7 matches.
Should India recall Mohammed Shami in ODIs?
The Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar has been asked about the exclusion of Shami from India’s squad on multiple occasions. He maintains the stance that the board is not aware about his fitness status.
However, considering the recent ODI bowling performances of India, the management should not shy away from recalling Shami to the side. India gave debut caps to Prince Yadav and domestic star-performer Gurnoor Brar. Both of them have impressed in bits and pieces, but they are yet to make their mark on the big stage.
With the ODI World Cup coming up in nearly 15 months, and the lack of ODIs being played nowadays, it will be tough for India to prepare an experienced brigade with this new set of bowlers. Experience always comes handy in big tournaments.
Moreover, Shami has an impeccable record in ICC World Cups. He has played 18 innings, and has claimed 55 wickets at a staggering average of 13.52. Shami picked 14 wickets in 2019 in merely 4 matches, while 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup being the leading wicket-taker of the tournament.
India should definitely try and prepare more pacers heading into the World Cup 2027, but should not rule out all possibility of recalling Mohammed Shami.
When did Mohammed Shami last play an ODI for India?
Mohammed Shami last played an ODI for India in March 2025, Champions Trophy final.
How many wickets did Mohammed Shami pick in the 2023 World Cup?
Mohammed Shami claimed 24 wickets in the World Cup 2023.
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Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.