Has Team India veteran pacer Mohammed Shami’s career come to an end?

India captain Shubman Gill has hinted that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami may no longer be part of the national team’s long-term plans, even though the seasoned fast bowler continues to turn out for Bengal in domestic cricket.

Speaking in Kolkata ahead of the Test series against South Africa, Gill’s remarks seemed to reflect the selectors’ current stance on the 35-year-old’s absence from India’s recent squads.

“A bowler like Shami Bhai is rare, but we also have to look at the bowlers who are currently performing,” Gill said when asked about Shami’s exclusion. “They’ve done exceptionally well. You can’t ignore the contributions of players like Akash Deep or Prasidh Krishna. We all know what Siraj and Bumrah have been doing in Tests. It’s tough when someone of Shami Bhai’s stature has to sit out.”

The captain added that team selection now revolves around future planning and playing conditions, rather than sentiment.

“It’s important to assess what’s next — which series, what conditions — and plan accordingly. The idea is to field the attack that gives us the best chance to win. As for fitness or selection specifics, the selectors are best placed to answer that,” Gill noted.

The Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel has faced criticism for overlooking Shami for the South Africa Tests, despite him having bowled 93 overs in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Shami last represented India in the Champions Trophy in March and has been recovering from a heel surgery he underwent after the 2023 World Cup.

Though Shami has made himself available for Bengal, reports suggest that selectors and BCCI support staff remain cautious about his fitness for the rigours of Test cricket. According to reports, the selectors had checked in with Shami several times and even requested him to play for India A against the England Lions to prove his match fitness. Shami, however, reportedly declined, preferring to gradually increase his workload.

Concerns have also surfaced over whether Shami can sustain long, high-intensity spells. In domestic games this season, he has mostly bowled short four-over bursts with long breaks, and his average pace has dropped below 130 kmph, far from the 135–140 kmph speeds that once made him India’s strike weapon.

With younger quicks like Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna emerging, and Bumrah and Siraj firmly established, Shami’s road back to the national team appears increasingly narrow. The selectors are said to be prioritizing long-term fitness and workload management ahead of next year’s overseas tours and the 2027 ODI World Cup.