Out-of-favour India pacer Mohammed Shami has been included in Bengal’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, with the selectors rewarding his strong domestic performances despite continued omission from the national team.
Shami has not featured for India for some time and was notably overlooked for the recent home series against South Africa, raising questions over his standing in the national selection pecking order.
However, the lack of an India recall has not slowed him down, as he has emerged as one of Bengal’s most consistent performers following a lengthy injury lay-off. The experienced fast bowler has been in outstanding form across formats on the domestic circuit, claiming 36 wickets this season.
Shami’s fitness has been a subject of debate in recent months after missing out on international selection, but his performances in domestic cricket have offered a strong rebuttal. Beginning with the Ranji Trophy, the senior pacer picked up 20 wickets from four matches at an average of 18.60, including a standout spell of 5/38.
Bengal remain unbeaten after five outings in the red-ball competition, registering three outright wins to sit atop Group C, with Shami playing a central role in their success.
The 34-year-old carried that form seamlessly into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he finished as Bengal’s leading wicket-taker, collecting 16 wickets from seven matches at an impressive average of 14.93.
In the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy one-day competition, Shami will spearhead Bengal’s three-pronged pace attack, alongside fellow India pacers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar, giving the side considerable experience and firepower in the bowling department.
