Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed strong support for Mohammed Shami’s return to the Indian national cricket team. Speaking in Kolkata ahead of Lucknow Super Giants’ IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders on 9 April, Ganguly cited Shami’s recent performances as clear justification for his inclusion.
Ganguly made the remarks during the inauguration of the third season of the Bengal Pro T20 League on Tuesday. He praised Shami’s bowling and fitness despite his absence from the national side. The former BCCI president emphasized that Shami’s role should be as Jasprit Bumrah’s new partner – and nothing else.
“He should be bowling at the other end to Bumrah, nowhere else. That’s how good he is. We all saw that magic last night against SunRisers Hyderabad – four overs, nine runs against two of the best T20 players, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. That was phenomenal,” Ganguly said, referring to Shami’s recent IPL performance in which he took 2 for 9 and won the Player of the Match award in Lucknow Super Giants’ win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Ganguly also highlighted Shami’s influence in domestic cricket, especially in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He pointed to the 35-year-old’s hunger and consistency and highlighted his determination to perform day in and day out despite being overlooked by the selectors.
“He had a strong Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. I still remember that semi-final – even though Bengal lost, he took eight wickets. He was instrumental in taking the team this far,” he said.
‘SHAMI’S SEAM LIGHT TO WATCH’
Addressing the physical demands placed on fast bowlers, Ganguly welcomed Shami’s continued participation in the Ranji Trophy. “I am very happy that he wants to continue playing in the Ranji Trophy. It is tough for a fast bowler but there is nothing better than watching Mohammed Shami run with the new ball,” he added.
“He looks fit and sharp. After bowling consistently for months you naturally reach peak conditions – no practice matches. I wish him all the best and would love to see him back in India colours,” Ganguly said.
Like millions of Indian cricket fans, Ganguly remains an admirer of Shami’s upright seam – a hallmark of his bowling that still stands out.
Shami finished among the top wicket takers in this year’s Ranji Trophy, taking 37 wickets at an average of 16.72. Despite these performances, he remains on the sidelines of the Ajit Agarkar-led national selectors and is yet to earn his place in the international squad.
“I still believe he should play for India. Hopefully his time will come again because he’s so good. When the ball comes out with that vertical seam, it’s a joy to watch,” Ganguly added, underscoring the ongoing debate over selection and player management policies in Indian cricket.
Shami’s dismissal was not due to a lack of performance. He was prolific for Bengal in the 2025-26 domestic season, taking 67 wickets across the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His recent IPL form for Lucknow Super Giants has been equally impressive; most notably, he produced a 2-for-9 spell against SRH on April 5 – including 18 points.
In response to his continued omission, Shami was unusually loud. He flatly rejected any talk of retirement, stating that he would only leave when he got bored or lacked motivation. Hinting at a deeper frustration, he suggested that a lack of PR may be influencing selection decisions, with younger pacers being favored despite his proven technical ability.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has consistently maintained that the door is not closed. However, his comments suggest a firm emphasis on “match fitness” as a selection criterion – something Shami believes he has already demonstrated through his performances.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
07 Apr 2026 22:51 IST
