Reports: Mohammed Shami not automatic choice for ENG vs IND Test series

Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami's place in the Test playing XI is under serious questioning ahead of the high-stakes England series. A mix of long-term injury, patchy fitness, and a recent dip in form has led selectors to rethink his role, with several younger bowlers pushing for a spot.

Shami last donned India’s whites during the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final. Post that, he underwent surgery to treat a nagging Achilles tendon injury. The rehabilitation process kept him out of the entire 2023-25 WTC cycle, and while a comeback was hoped for during the Border-Gavaskar series, selectors chose to stick with Harshit Rana, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna to support Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Although the right-arm speedster did return to international cricket in the limited-overs series against England and was named in the squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy, his performances have been far from ideal. In the IPL 2025, the 34-year-old playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad was ineffective on most occasions. He managed only six wickets in nine matches, conceding runs at an economy rate of 11.23 and averaging 56.17 per dismissal. According to a TOI report, national selectors are concerned about Shami’s fitness and form. 

“As of now, Shami isn’t an automatic pick. It’s been months since he has come back to international cricket but he has barely been in rhythm. While IPL performances are usually not considered while picking India teams, Shami is struggling to finish his run-up, and the ball is not carrying to the keeper like it used to before his Achilles tendon injury. He invariably goes back to the dressing room after a short spell for recovery,” a source told the Times of India.

Historically, Shami has been India’s go-to pacer in overseas conditions, especially in England, where he’s played 14 Tests and taken 42 wickets. However, those wickets have come at an average of 40.50, with no five-wicket hauls to his name on English soil. However, with Shami no longer a guaranteed pick, the selectors are now considering alternatives. Names like Khaleel Ahmed, Arshdeep Singh, and Yash Dayal have come out to be the top runners for the spot.