Mohammed Shami to feature in India Test squad vs South Africa! Extreme external pressure applied

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s future with the India National Cricket Team currently seems uncertain after being left out of the team’s England and Australia tours. Apart from his fitness concerns, the war of words between Mohammed Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar played a role in his deciding the Bengal star’s fate.

Currently, the Men in Blue are in Australia for the white-ball series, and then they will shift focus to the two-match Test series against South Africa. The Proteas side is all set to visit India for two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is from November 14 to December 19.

Mohammed Shami’s India future in doubt after clash with Ajit Agarkar

The Indian selection committee is keeping a close eye on the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 matches as they are set to announce the Test squad within a few days. Mohammed Shami has also made a great impact with the ball in the first two matches of the ongoing season for Bengal.

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However, the seasoned pacer went wicketless in the drawn match between Bengal and Tripura. Shami has so far taken 15 wickets in three games in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26, but these numbers are unlikely to force the national selectors to reconsider their call.

Shami is already out of the scheme of things, with Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep being considered for the Test formats now. Even Anshul Kamboj is in the discussion for the Test setup, and then Arshdeep Singh is also there for overseas conditions.

Mohammed Shami unlikely to be picked for South Africa Tests

As reported by Revsportz journalist Rohit Juglan, Shami is not part of India’s current Test plans, and he is unlikely to be picked in the squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa. He revealed that there are multiple options for the selectors who have now moved on from the Bengal pacer.

There has been a massive uproar on social media over Shami’s exclusion from the Indian team despite his being fully fit and in fine form with the ball. Even Agarkar cited his fitness issues for his snub. Shami denied the claims and questioned if he is fit for FC cricket, then why not for the India selection.

However, Shami’s inconsistent performances could go against him. Well, the journalist suggested that the “outside pressure” might help Shami to retain his place in India’s Test squad; otherwise, he is certainly “not part of the selectors’ plan” for the Test format anymore.

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Hanuma Vihari leads Tripura’s stunning comeback against Bengal

Meanwhile, Tripura turned the tables on Bengal on day three of their Ranji Trophy 2025-26 clash in Agartala, with Hanuma Vihari leading the fightback in style. Despite being 53/5 at one stage, Tripura ended the day strongly at 273/7, just 63 runs short of Bengal’s total of 336.

Vihari’s unbeaten 121 and skipper Manisankar Murasingh’s 42 not out built a solid 73-run stand that frustrated Bengal’s bowlers and took Tripura to 385. In the second innings, Bengal raced to 90/3 in 25 overs as the game ended in a draw earlier this week at Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium, Agartala.