Mohammed Shami’s continued absence from India’s Test and ODI plans has now started raising a much bigger question around his international future. India chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s latest remarks after the Afghanistan squad announcement have only intensified the feeling that the selectors may have finally started moving on from the veteran pacer.
Shami was once again left out of both India’s ODI and Test squads for the Afghanistan series despite remaining active in domestic cricket and the IPL after his long injury recovery phase. Speaking at the press conference following India’s squad announcement on Tuesday, May 19, Agarkar admitted that Shami was never part of the discussion for the longer formats this time either.
“No (discussions on Shami’s Test return). As far as we have been told that at this point…his body is allowing him to (play), I know he has played a domestic season this year. But from the information that I have got, is that at this point it’s T20 cricket that he’s sort of ready for. So there was no discussion regarding him,” Agarkar said.
The statement immediately triggered fresh discussions around Shami’s standing within India’s setup, especially because the veteran fast bowler has continued playing competitive cricket consistently across formats after returning from surgery.
Shami last played for India during the Champions Trophy final in March 2025 before disappearing from India’s ODI and Test plans completely over the past few months.
The pacer has also remained one of Lucknow Super Giants’ key bowlers during IPL 2026 despite the franchise enduring a disappointing campaign. Shami has picked up 10 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 8.81 while often bowling during difficult phases of innings.
