The question of fast bowler Mohammad Shami's return to the Indian team remains uncertain. Shami, who is 36 years old, has been outside the Indian squad for about a year and a half, and his problems have worsened in recent years due to injuries. The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, favors younger options in the fast bowling attack, which constantly raises the question of whether Shami's age is the main obstacle in his path.
However, former Indian cricketer Akash Chopra disagrees with this view. He believes that reducing the reason for Mohammad Shami's absence solely to age is incorrect. Citing Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc as an example, he noted significant differences in the status of these two players.
In a video published on CREX, Akash Chopra stated: 'Mitchell Starc remained fit for a long time and consistently played cricket. Every time he took the field, he led the Australian attack, so there are few grounds to question his fitness, physical condition, or bowling.'
In contrast, Mohammad Shami has suffered from injuries recently. After surgery, he had to refrain from cricket for a long time. Although he scored points in domestic cricket after returning, his bowling did not demonstrate the previous speed and sharpness. According to Chopra, in Shami's case, selectors must consider not only his age but also his current physical condition and the quality of his bowling.
Akash Chopra clearly stated that if age were the sole reason for Mohammad Shami's absence, then players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are older than him, would not be in the squad. He emphasized that excluding a player solely on the basis of age is illogical. Although age cannot be considered the primary reason for Shami's exclusion, only the selectors can explain why he is not included in the team in the future.
Recently, Mohammad Shami represented the East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026-27 final. This final was particularly important for Shami as he played his 100th first-class match. His achievement was noted, and he achieved victory in the championship with the East Zone team. Thus, Shami is still active in competitive cricket. However, whether his performances in domestic matches alone will be enough for a return to the international level depends on the assessment of the selectors.
Mohammad Shami's main task now is to prove his complete physical readiness and restore his former pace. If he consistently performs effectively in domestic cricket and strengthens confidence in his physical condition, it will become harder for him to ignore his claims before the selectors.
