Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has not been recalled to the Indian ODI squad for the 3-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite consistent performances in the domestic season, Shami was overlooked as the selectors opted for Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna as the preferred fast bowling quartet in the 50-over format.
Shami’s personal trainer lashed out at chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar after the selection was announced. Talking to India On the phone today, the coach vented his frustration and asked what else the pacer could do to force his way back to the Indian side.
“What more can a player do? How many more wickets should a player take?” Shami’s coach told India Today.
Mohammed Shami has been consistent on the domestic circuit this season, picking up wickets in every competition. He has played five matches so far in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking 11 wickets. In Bengal’s last match against Assam, Shami returned figures of 3 for 55, helping bowl out the opposition for 217.
Fearing the worst for his pupil, Shami’s coach said the selectors may have moved on from the fast bowler.
“That means they don’t want him in the ODI team. He has a lot to give,” he said.
Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla was also extremely unhappy with the insult and criticized the selection committee. The former KKR player said no other international cricketer has shown more dedication to domestic cricket in recent times.
“The selection committee has done injustice to Mohammed Shami. No international player in the recent past has played domestic cricket with as much commitment as Shami. Even after toiling hard in domestic cricket, what the selection committee has done to Shami is shameful,” Shukla told Revsportz.
India have named Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna as their preferred pace trio for the ODI series against New Zealand.
Shami was ignored despite taking 47 wickets in 16 domestic matches this season, including 20 wickets in four Ranji Trophy matches, 16 wickets in seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches and 11 wickets in five Vijay Hazare Trophy matches so far.
Shami last played for India in March 2025 in the Champions Trophy final.
INDIA SQUAD FOR NEW ZEALAND ODI SERIES
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 3, 2026
