ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Indian Selectors Will Make A Big Mistake If They Don't Pick Mohammed Shami - Madan Lal

Former Indian fast bowler Madam Lal said Indian selectors would commit a big blunder by overlooking Mohammed Shami for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia in the October-November period.

Shami hasn’t featured in a single T20 International game in Indian colours since India’s surprising exit from last year’s T20 World Cup in UAE. The senior bowler had picked six wickets in five games at an economy of 8.84 in the mega event.

Should Mohammed Shami be considered for T20 World Cup 2022?

Shami faced backlash on Twitter after India’s 10-wicket loss to Pakistan in their first game of the Super 12 stage.

The Indian selectors don’t have Shami under their radar for the shortest format of the game even though he is a regular in the Tests and ODIs teams.

Despite picking 20 wickets in 16 matches for Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2022-winning campaign, Shami wasn’t considered for any single T20I series for India. Instead, the selectors have handed young opportunities to young guns like Avesh Khan and Arshdeep Singh.

Mohammed Shami should definitely be in the team for the T20 World Cup: Madan Lal

Madan Lal said Shami is a wicket-taking option and the selectors should not ignore him on the bounce-inducing surfaces of Australia.

“Shami should definitely be in the team for the T20 World Cup. He’s our best bowler after Bumrah. I would look for a bowler who could get me wickets. I don’t want bowlers who would only look to contain runs. Batters will keep scoring runs in this format. The only way to stem the flow of runs is to take wickets,” Madan Lal told Sportskeeda.

“The Indian selectors will make a big mistake if they don’t pick Shami. He’s a great bowler and has done well in Australia in the past.

“I don’t understand why they are not picking him for T20s. You think he’s not a better bowler than those who are playing now? He’s one of the best bowlers in world cricket,” he added.

Former Indian national selector Saba Karim also said that Shami should play in case Jasprit Bumrah is not available for selection in the T20 World Cup 2022.

Also Read: If Jasprit Bumrah Is Not Fit To Play T20 World Cup, Mohammed Shami Should Replace Him – Saba Karim