After Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Reports Claim Mohammed Shami Likely To Bid Adieu To Test Cricket

After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, another senior cricketer, Mohammed Shami is reportedly set to bid adieu to test cricket. According to the reports, selectors may drop Mohammed Shami from the squad for five-match Test series against England due to fitness concerns.

Mohammed Shami has been struggling to regain his rhythm after returning to international cricket, which has raised questions about his immediate future in Test matches.

As reported by TOI, the selectors are hesitant to include him directly in the team against England. "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 not usually considered while picking India teams, Shami is struggling to finish his run-up and the ball is not carrying to the wicketkeeper like it used to before his Achilles tendon injury after the 2023 ODI World Cup. He invariably goes back to the dressing room after a short spell for recovery," BCCI source told TOI.

Following his Achilles tendon injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami was sidelined for the entirety of 2024, making his return in a T20I series against England in February 2025. Although he has since participated in the Champions Trophy and is currently playing in the ongoing IPL, doubts remain about his ability to sustain performance over the longer format.

The selectors are also mindful of managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload, especially after his recent recovery from a back injury sustained during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The strategy initially aimed to ensure either Shami or Bumrah could play in each Test, but with Shami's fitness in question and Bumrah's need for rest, the selectors find themselves in a precarious position. "The initial plan was to ensure the team can at least play either of Shami or Bumrah in every Test. However, if Bumrah is rested for a match and Shami struggles to pull through, it will be a big issue. They are trying to understand the problem Shami is facing," the source elaborated.

This confluence of retirements and fitness concerns presents a significant challenge for the Indian selectors as they work to assemble a competitive squad for the upcoming series against England.