Bengal fast bowler Mohammed Shami is likely to be recalled to the Indian ODI squad and his camp is confident of a return for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand starting on January 11.
Shami has been out of the Indian setup for almost a year. The right-arm pacer made his last appearance for India in the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. After a sub-par season in the Indian Premier League, he was dropped from the Test squad that toured England amid concerns over form and fitness.
The national selectors have made it clear that Shami will need to regain rhythm and fitness through domestic cricket before being considered again.
“He was trying to get fit for the Test series. I don’t think he’s fit enough to play five Tests at the moment. I don’t think his fitness is where it should be. It’s just the doctors who have told us that he has been ruled out of the (England) series,” chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said at the time.
Since then, Shami has worked his way back into the domestic circuit. He impressed with a series of strong performances in the Ranji Trophy and followed it up with encouraging performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Despite this, a return to the T20I side is not on the horizon.
In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shami has been consistent, picking up eight wickets in four matches. His spells have been instrumental in Bengal winning three of their four games so far as they look to bounce back from a disappointing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign.
Sources told India Today that Shami is doing significant work behind the scenes and is hoping for a recall from the ODI side. However, they added that the speedster has not yet been officially informed about his selection.
The squad for the New Zealand ODI series is expected to be announced on January 3 or 4.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
December 31, 2025
