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Dinesh Karthik has advised the Indian selectors against bringing Mohammed Shami back into the team for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The former India wicketkeeper-batter believes the management has already moved beyond the experienced pacer despite Shami continuing to produce strong performances in domestic cricket.
Shami has been away from India's white-ball setup since the 2025 Champions Trophy, while Jasprit Bumrah remains the only established fast bowler who has consistently delivered at the highest level.
Mohammed Shami last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Shami last represented India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he was leading the pace attack and did a good job. Since then, fitness and selection decisions have kept the veteran away from international cricket despite his continued experience and performances in domestic cricket for Bengal.
India's pace department has also not completely settled in Mohammed Shami's absence. Apart from Bumrah, several options have struggled for consistency or are still establishing themselves at the international level.
Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi are among the pacers being considered as India looks to build depth. Their performances have not yet provided the same certainty that Bumrah brings to the attack.
That situation has led to questions over whether India could eventually turn back to Mohammed Shami for the 2027 World Cup. However, Karthik believes the selectors should continue looking ahead rather than returning to the experienced campaigner.
I wouldn't be looking at him even - Dinesh Karthik on Mohammed Shami's 2027 World Cup selection
Despite Mohammed Shami's performances away from international cricket, Karthik does not believe his return would be the right move for India's long-term plans.
Asked whether the selectors should consider Shami for the 2027 ODI World Cup, he pointed towards the other pacers available to the team.
Karthik acknowledged that Shami has continued to bowl well, but argued that India have already moved beyond him in its planning. His comments came during Cricbuzz's latest video titled ‘Hot Takes’.
“No. I feel there are other pacers, India have moved beyond him so there's point in going back. I wouldn't be looking at him even though he's bowled really well,” Karthik said.
I do think he did a lot of good things - Dinesh Karthik on Ajit Agarkar's tenure as chief selector
Meanwhile, Ajit Agarkar's tenure as India's chief selector has come to an end, bringing a close to a period that included several major selection calls across formats.
Dinesh Karthik gave a measured assessment of Agarkar's work, admitting that while he agreed with several decisions, there were also choices he found debatable.
Karthik also pointed out that being a selector is rarely an easy or universally appreciated job, making it difficult to judge Agarkar's tenure solely through individual decisions.
“Yes and no. I do think he did a lot of good things, but at times I didn't. I felt that there were certain decisions which were always debatable, but remember, I think selector, being a selector, is a thankless job. So well done on whatever he did,” Dinesh Karthik replied.
Also Read: Not Mohammed Shami! 32-year-old Bengal pacer set for Test comeback in New Zealand
