BCCI President intervenes in selection affairs to save Mohammed Shami's career

There has been immense buzz surrounding the selection and snub of Indian pacer Mohammed Shami from the team, and now the former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has also voiced his support for the veteran pacer from Bengal.

There has been immense speculation surrounding Mohammed Shami's exclusion and continuous snub from the Indian team despite his convincing fitness and tremendous record in international cricket. He has a wicket tally the same as Bumrah, in fewer games than the World no. 1 pacer.

Shami is also India's most successful pacer in ICC tournaments with the most number of wickets for the Men in Blue across all formats combined. He is the sole king of the ODI format and has delivered the most when India needed him in ICC outings.

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Former BCCI President backs Mohammed Shami for Team India selection

Mohammed Shami is a veteran pacer, but his injuries have kept him away from constant field action and a permanent spot in the Indian team. He has been in and out of the Indian team throughout his career, but for the 34-year-old pacer, a return has seemed distant since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Following his exclusion from the recent white-ball series in Australia and the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa, former BCCI President and the current CAB President Sourav Ganguly, feels there is no reason to keep Shami away from the Indian team and international cricket.

“Shami is great; he’s bowling exceptionally well. You saw in the 2-3 Ranji trophy matches where he's won Bengal on his own. I'm sure the selectors are watching. I'm sure there is communication between Shami and the selectors; I don't know." Ganguly clearly feels Shami is as fit as ever and should be in the team.

"But if you ask me in terms of fitness and skill, it's Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don't see any reason why he can't be playing test matches, ODIs or T20Is for India because that skill is enormous," said Ganguly at an event in Kolkata.

Mohammed Shami skipped the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy for Bengal

Mohammed Shami had a huge injury setback and was ruled out after the IPL campaign with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he had one of the most miserable seasons in the IPL of his career. Shami returned to action with the Duleep Trophy and later played the first three rounds of the Ranji Trophy.

Having bowled in three matches, Shami bowled 93 overs with the ball and picked an impressive 15 wickets in the domestic tournament so far. He averages 15.13 and is 13th on the list of highest wicket-takers this season, having played a match less than most of the players on the list.

However, he skipped the ongoing fourth round of the Ranji Trophy for the Bengal team and is expected to return for the next round.

India has its next World Cup campaign and WTC Final in 2027- Will Shami remain in the scheme of things?

Shami has played for India in World Cups since 2015, and has played in three World Cups in his career, and has been part of two Champions Trophies with the team as well. He remains the finest bowler on record in ICC tournaments for India.

Shami has more wickets than Zaheer Khan and equals Wasim Akram in World Cups, and is India's highest wicket-taker in ICC games. He is also the 5th highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cups, having played the fewest games among all others in the list.

India has their World Cup scheduled for 2027 in South Africa, which will impart pace-friendly conditions and will have another WTC final if they qualify in the same year.

Shami would be 36 by then, and to remain in the scheme of things, he needs to be drafted into the Indian squad and prove his prowess ahead of the ICC events.

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