Mohammed Shami pressured to announce retirement after Australia tour snub
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Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has again been snubbed of a chance to feature in the India squad for the upcoming tour to Australia. Following the snub, former Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has cited Mohammed Shami's injuries as the major reason for the sudden decline in his career.
The Men's selection committee announced India's squad for the upcoming India tour of Australia. The tour consists of 3 ODI matches, which are scheduled to be played from the 19th of October to the 25th of October. The Indian pacer, despite his snub from the team, has received tributes from the former Indian batter, Sunil Gavaskar.
"For a fast bowler, having an ankle and a knee injury and a back injury is never easy to recover from," claimed Sunil Gavaskar
The former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels that Mohammed Shami is unlikely to make a national comeback, especially after his recent snub from the ODI series in Australia. The Indian legend stated that his frequent injuries over the last few years have led to the pacer's reduced chances.
“Yes (Indian cricket has now gone past Shami). I think so. In Mohammed Shami’s case, it’s a real uphill climb for him; it’s very, very tough. You know, the injury he’s had doesn’t always help," claimed Sunil Gavaskar while speaking to India Today on Saturday.
"For a fast bowler, having an ankle and a knee injury, and a back injury is never easy to recover from. And which is the reason why, perhaps you know, he’s not being considered, but what a great cricketer he has been for India. What a wonderful cricketer he’s been for India,” he added.
"He will need to play something” - BCCI Selector Ajit Agarkar on Mohammed Shami's snub
The BCCI Chief Selector, Ajit Agarkar, has explained all his selections from the tour to Australia. Talking about Mohammed Shami's snub from the Indian team, it has been revealed that he has not played enough domestic cricket this season.
“He's not played a lot of cricket. In the last two-three years, I think he's played one match for Bengal and one match in the Duleep Trophy. So, as a performer, we know what he can do. But, he will need to play something,” said the BCCI selector via ESPNcricinfo.
The 35-year-old Indian speedster comes from a tragic domestic season, having played just one game in the Duleep Trophy for the East Zone side, where he picked a wicket. He also had a below-par IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, managing just 6 wickets with an economy rate of above 11.
Mohammed Shami was India's leading wicket-taker in recent 50-over ICC events
Mohammed Shami played his last match in the 50-over format for India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. He emerged as India's highest wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Varun Chakravarthy.
This was the second tournament after the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, where India emerged as finalists before losing to Australia in the finals. Shami replaced Hardik Pandya in the side and went on to be the highest wicket-taker in the season with 24 wickets.
The legendary pacer is India's highest wicket-taker in ICC events and is also the highest wicket-taker in ICC World Cups for India. Despite his stellar record and with 206 scalps, Shami is not being considered for the upcoming World Cup.
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India National Cricket Team Sunil Gavaskar Mohammed Shami India tour of Australia Ajit Agarkar India vs Australia Australia National Cricket Team
