An 18-player squad has been announced by India for the Test series against England, to be started on the 20th of June. The team comprises Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, new faces along with the comebacks of Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair. The notable omission is that of the veteran pace bowler Mohammed Shami, and this could, in fact, say something with respect to the future plans of the team.
Shami had returned to competitive cricket only in November, having been sidelined due to injury for a long time. He played some white-ball matches for India thereafter and was instrumental in their Champions Trophy win in 2025. But perhaps his injury problems being looked at from a longer-term perspective, the selectors, hence, seem to be a bit shaky on bringing him in for Test cricket.
According to a former selector, the end of Shami’s Test career is probably near. Having missed out on tours to Australia and England, which are vital for any fast bowler, speaks for him not being induced into home Tests against West Indies and South Africa as well. He also suggested that they might pick Akash Deep or Harshit instead of Shami.
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Since 2013, Shami has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests. According to a medical check conducted by the BCCI in Lucknow, he is not quite ready for the rigors of Test bowling just yet. Agarkar, chairman of selectors, said that Shami is currently undertaking fitness training but his present workload is below that required.
“He has been trying to get fit, but he had a little setback recently. He had some MRI’s done. I don’t think he’s ready for all five Tests,” Agarkar candidly expressed to the media. He observed that while it was a matter of disappointment to be devoid of a bowler of Shami’s ability, the team has to depend on the fit because of the tight schedule. They had hoped that Shami could get some runs in, but just at this moment, his fitness is not there.
