Ajit Agarkar directed to pick Mohammed Shami for England Tests despite dip in form

Former Team India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has expressed his support for pacer Mohammed Shami, who struggled to make an impact during the IPL 2025 season. The expert backed Shami's selection for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, describing him as a 'match-winner' for India.

Mohammed Shami has been out of Test cricket for nearly two years, with his last appearance in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. After a 14-month injury layoff, he returned to international cricket in January this year. Shami is now on the selection radar for the England Test series.

Mohammed Shami Is a Match Winner - Navjot Singh Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu said that Mohammed Shami has the ability to extract significant seam movement, especially with the red ball, adding that he can cause trouble for batsmen. Sidhu stated that Shami is a match-winner in Test cricket.

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“Let me tell you about Shami — a lot of people might be thinking, 'No, he’s expensive with the white ball,' but that's wrong. When the red ball comes into play, the seam protrudes — it's almost upright, and it stays that way,” Sidhu told Sports Today.

"When the seam hits, Shami makes it nip off the surface by about six inches, and that movement causes more trouble than the one that swings in the air. That’s why, as a red-ball bowler, he is a match-winner — out and out," he added.

Mohammed Shami Struggles with Form in Indian Premier League 2025

Shami has struggled with form for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the Indian Premier League 2025. The pacer took only six wickets in nine innings with an average of 56.16. His performance raised concerns about his readiness for Test cricket, as he appeared out of rhythm during the T20 tournament.

He also missed a few matches before the league was suspended due to tensions on the India-Pakistan border. Before the IPL, Shami made a return to the T20I team for the series against England but went wicketless in his first match before claiming three wickets at Wankhede Stadium.

However, he showed improvement during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he was the joint second-highest wicket-taker, with nine wickets from five matches at an average of 25.89, including a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in India’s opening match.

Mohammed Shami's Record in Test Matches in England

Mohammed Shami has not had a good record in Test matches in England. He has taken 42 wickets in 14 Tests in England at an average of 40.50, with his best bowling figures being 4/57.

Jasprit Bumrah was forced to carry the responsibility of leading India’s pace attack during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Shami’s absence. Bumrah took 32 wickets across 10 matches but didn't receive support from the other end.

Shami’s return for the upcoming England series is critical for India, as he will provide support to Bumrah, helping the team break their 18-year-long wait for a series win in England.

Also read: Karun Nair, Sai Sudharsan, Sarfaraz Khan's fate officially decided for England tour