Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly said that he sees no reason why out of favour pacer Mohammad Shami can’t play for the Indian side, saying that the Bengal seamer was ‘fit and bowling exceptionally well.’ “Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit and we saw in the three Ranji Trophy matches, where he’s won Bengal on his own,” Ganguly said on Monday.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching and there is a communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammad Shami we know of. So, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches, One-day cricket and T20 cricket for India. Because that skill is enormous,” he added.
Shami hasn’t played for India since the Champions Trophy in March with the seamer not picked for the South Africa series at home, which is set to start this Friday with the 1st Test at the Eden Gardens. Shami had been ignored for the Test series against the West Indies as well, after which the 35-year-old had stated that he is fit to play. Shami last played a Test match for India in the World test Championship final vs Australia in 2023.
He has so far claimed 15 wickets to help Bengal to successive wins in their first two Ranji Trophy matches before going wicketless against Tripura. He has bowled 91 overs in three matches this season.
The veteran pacer underwent ankle surgery following the 2023 World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 scalps at an average of 10.70.
Last week, speaking on the selection controversy after his haul of 5/38 powered Bengal to a 141-run win, Shami said to reporters, “Yes, I knew this question would come. I’m always in controversy anyway. You people have already made me the villain! What else can I do or say? In today’s world, social media twists everything. My job is to perform well. Wherever I get an opportunity, I’ll give my best. The rest is up to God. Bengal is my home. Every match I play for Bengal is like a memory for me.”
