Reports: Mohammed Shami set to be ignored for England series, ability to bowl long spells a concern

India are all set to begin their campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 with a five-match tour of England, commencing from June 20, at Headingley, Leeds.

There has been considerable discussion in the cricket fraternity about what the Indian bowling attack would look like. If reports are to be believed, the legendary Mohammed Shami might have to watch India's tour of England from the sidelines.

According to The Indian Express, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar is unwilling to take the Bengal seamer on board as his ability to bowl long spells is a concern. BCCI’s medical team has informed the Indian board that the 34-year-old fast bowler won’t be able to bowl longer spells. Chances of him playing all five Test matches are bleak too, going ahead.

Jasprit Bumrah has already specified that he won't be able to play all five Tests in England. The selectors don't want another iffy bowler to head to the United Kingdom as it could put the team management in a spot of bother while picking the XI.

“Shami is bowling four overs in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but the board and selectors don’t know whether he can bowl more than 10 overs in a day. Test matches in England may demand longer spells from the pacers, and we can’t take chances,” a source in the board was quoted as saying in the report.

Shami’s last Test match appearance came during the 2023 India vs Australia World Test Championship final at the Oval. He has picked up 229 wickets from 64 Tests at an average of 27.71. If Shami doesn't board the flight to England, India will be short on experience for the all-important tour, especially following the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in recent times. The Amroha-born is a genuine match-winner when he finds his rhythm.

Shami's absence could open the doors for either Arshdeep Singh or Anshul Kamboj for the England tour. The Punjab pacer has the experience of playing in County cricket last season when he represented Kent. Meanwhile, Kamboj has already been selected in the India A squad for the two red-ball encounters against England Lions, starting on May 30.