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Mohd Shami was initially expected to join the Indian team for the tour of Australia, having played a Ranji Trophy match for Bengal and showing decent form. However, due to concerns over his fitness and a lingering injury, he was ultimately left out of the squad. Sources said that despite Shami’s strong performances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and consistent wicket-taking in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a member of the Indian team management was opposed to his inclusion in the squad.
There were also hints that India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, may have been the one against Shami’s call-up, although the specific reasons behind this decision remain unclear. As of now, none of the board officials have confirmed or denied these allegations against Gambhir. This situation points to some internal dynamics within the team management that was flawed.
Ravi Shastri, the former coach of India, had been a strong advocate for including Mohd Shami in the squad, even while he was working on achieving full fitness. Shastri believed that Shami’s experience and skill were vital for India’s chances, especially in the absence of other senior pacers.
However, the team’s over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah, without sufficient backup options like Shami, ultimately hurt India’s performance. This “paranoid dependence” on Bumrah seemed to backfire, as India’s bowling attack lacked the depth and variety needed, particularly in challenging conditions.
As the demand to bring Shami back into the ODI setup for the England series, followed by the Champions Trophy, continues to grow, more members of the Indian team management are also backing the idea. Shami’s experience and form have made him a key candidate, and with his fitness improving, many believe his inclusion would strengthen India’s bowling attack, especially in the high-stakes tournaments ahead.
The shift in support within the management signals a growing consensus on Shami’s importance to the team. And who would forget what he did in the 2023 World Cup at home, wherein he got 24 wickets from seven games!
