Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is rumored to be in jeopardy of not being automatically selected for the upcoming tour of England, according to recent reports, as the seamers have been performing below average this season.
Mohammed Shami last appeared for India in the 2023 World Test Championship finals against Australia. Since then, he has been recovering from an injury that required surgery, which extended his recovery period to over a year. Although he was India’s highest wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2023, his return to form has been disappointing.
Indian Selectors Weighing Multiple Options
Indian selectors are reportedly considering other players, such as Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Akash Deep, to join Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah in a pace-heavy squad suited for English conditions.
"As of now, Shami isn’t an automatic pick. It’s been months since he returned to international cricket, but he has struggled to find his rhythm. While IPL performances are usually not taken into account when selecting teams, Shami is having trouble finishing his run-up, and the ball isn’t carrying to the keeper like it used to before his Achilles tendon injury. He often has to return to the dressing room after short spells to recover,” a source told the Times of India.
Shami made his comeback to the Indian side during the Champions Trophy 2025, starting strong with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh. However, his consistency has been wavering, though he still contributed significantly to India's title-winning campaign. According to the source, his performance and recovery will be closely monitored as the IPL progresses.
Shami's poor outing in the IPL 2025
Currently, in the IPL, Shami has taken only 6 wickets in 9 matches, with an average of 56.17 and an economy rate exceeding 11.23. This is not typical for him. Batters have been targeting him in the powerplay, which led to his omission from the last match by his team, SRH.
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Statistically, Shami has played in England since 2014 and has participated in every tour since, taking 34 wickets in 21 innings at an average of 42, with a best of 4/42 in English conditions. While Shami brings valuable experience, selectors are likely to prioritize fitness, especially considering Jasprit Bumrah's workload management will be a factor in building a balanced bowling attack for the series.
Recent news indicates that the squad for the India tour of England is expected to be announced soon. India will be under new captaincy, and the availability of Virat Kohli remains uncertain, as he has been contemplating retirement from Test cricket.
