Mohammed Shami Aims for National Team Comeback Amid Domestic Focus

Mohammed Shami is focused on making a comeback to the Indian cricket team after being left out of the upcoming series against New Zealand. The seasoned pacer is prioritizing his performance in the domestic season, aiming to enhance his skills and maintain his rhythm. With a new selection committee in place, Shami is dedicated to his game and has distanced himself from social media distractions. As he prepares for the future, including the 2027 ODI World Cup, Shami's strong domestic performances have raised hopes for his return to international cricket. Read on to discover more about his journey and aspirations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 20, 2026, 22:49 IST

Shami's Determination to Return to the Indian Squad

Mohammed Shami, the Indian fast bowler, is resolute in his quest to rejoin the national team after being excluded from the upcoming series against New Zealand. He emphasizes that his immediate focus is on delivering consistent performances and making the most of the domestic season.

The experienced pacer is concentrating on the domestic circuit, aiming to keep his rhythm intact, enhance his skills, and seize every opportunity to play as he strives for a national team recall.

Shami remains out of the Indian squad as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the teams for the eagerly awaited ODI and Test series against New Zealand, once again omitting the 36-year-old's name.

During a conversation with media representatives at the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Delhi in New Delhi, Shami expressed his positive mindset, stating, "I stay focused on performing well in every match. Playing frequently helps me maintain my physical momentum and refine my skills. My current priority is to keep playing and giving my best."

With Ajit Agarkar's term as chief selector concluding earlier this month, Pragyan Ojha has stepped into the role.

Discussing the new selection committee and the influence of social media, Shami reiterated his commitment to performance and team duties, opting to avoid social media distractions to dedicate his time to practice and skill enhancement.

"I concentrate solely on my game and do not concern myself with others. My main focus is to meet the team's needs. I've distanced myself from social media, preferring to invest my time in practice and match play this season," he added.

As discussions about age arise ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Shami is committed to remaining competitive through consistent performances and a full domestic season.

The senior bowler, who will turn 37 by the time of the tournament, stated he is giving his all and leaving the rest to fate. He believes that participating in the entire domestic season is crucial for his growth as he aims for a potential return to international cricket.

"I am doing my utmost and leaving the rest to God. Playing the full domestic season is vital for honing my skills and preparing for future challenges," he remarked.

Shami's last appearance in international cricket was in March of the previous year during the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, where India emerged victorious. He played a pivotal role, taking nine wickets in five innings at an average of 25.88.

Since then, the Bengal pacer has participated in the Duleep Trophy 2026, claiming seven wickets in three matches at an average of 26.57, contributing to East Zone's title win. He also took 37 wickets for Bengal in seven matches during the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, averaging 16.72. In his sole appearance in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, Shami recorded figures of 4/30 and 1/29.

In the IPL seasons of 2025 and 2026, the right-arm pacer had modest performances, securing six wickets in nine matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025 and 12 wickets in 13 matches for Lucknow Super Giants in 2026.

Despite these IPL results, Shami's impressive domestic performances have sparked hopes for his return to the national team, especially in the ODI and Test formats. These hopes were further fueled when his peer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, also 36, was recalled to India's squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, which precedes the ODI and Test series.