Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif reserved huge praise for discarded pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been ignored for the ODI series against South Africa. Calling him a once-in-a-generation player, Kaif said that the veteran pacer isn’t far behind Jasprit Bumrah.
Despite playing competitive cricket consistently, Shami hasn’t featured for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March. The 35-year-old has been among the wickets in the Ranji Trophy, picking up 20 scalps in four games, including a fifer. However, the selectors ignored him for the Test series against the West Indies and South Africa.
When asked whether this is the end of the road for Shami, Kaif strongly denied the notion. He stressed that the selectors needed to give an opportunity to the Bengal pacer, especially amid Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj’s absence from the squad. Kaif said in the latest video on his YouTube channel ‘Mohammad Kaif’:
“I’m not ready to accept it. If he is playing Ranji, he is signalling that I’m consistently taking wickets and bowling longer spells, how else do you prove fitness? By playing, by bowling and taking wickets. So, I’m not sure what is the reason behind not playing him. This was a good chance to play Shami, given Bumrah is not there as his workload is being managed.”
“There is also T20 World Cup in 2026, so it makes sense to keep him for T20s and give a break from ODIs. He played the T20Is in Australia but not ODIs. Siraj is not there either, so Mohammed Shami could’ve been given an opportunity. Shami is an experienced player and the youngsters would’ve benefitted with his presence,” he added.
Kaif pointed out that the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Pat Cummins are also 30+ but continue to play regularly for Australia. The former player strongly underlined that age shouldn’t be much of a factor in selection.
“If he is playing and struggling to take wickets, the selectors can say he is not playing. But that’s not the case. Whenever Shami is playing, he is taking wickets. He is a once in a generation player, not that far from Bumrah. He took 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup. Shami took those wickets in flat pitches. If you include him and is struggling to field or for wickets, it makes sense to drop him and look at new players,” Kaif continued.
“The question is not about performance but might be about fitness or age. But even Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are 30+. If players are bringing in the experience, age shouldn’t be a question. Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood are regulars. I think players get better with age. If Shami is fit and able to take wickets, he must play,” he concluded.
Shami has excellent numbers in both ODIs and Tests, picking up 435 wickets collectively in 172 games, averaging less than 30. The right-arm seamer was also the third-highest wicket-taker during the 2025 Champions Trophy, with nine wickets in five innings.
“If a player doesn’t want to play anymore, he will urge to give chance to youngsters” – Mohammad Kaif on Shami
Kaif claimed that Shami has gone on record to claim that the selectors haven’t communicated properly regarding his selection. Kaif also observed that Shami’s performances are proof that he wants to keep playing. In the same video, he said:
“If a player doesn’t want to play anymore, he will urge to give chance to youngsters. But he himself told the media there is no communication with him. Shami still wants to play. Tomorrow if Rohit Sharma says I’ll be 41 by the time the next World Cup comes, you can give chance to the youngsters. That will be good because there is transparency. But Rohit is okay to play even if he is not captain. Virat Kohli is also scoring 70-80 runs.”
“If Shami speaks to selectors and wants to move on, it’s a different thing. But that’s not the case. Kohli and Rohit are playing. Shami is also featuring in Ranji Trophy and he wants to show the selectors he is fit. Sourav Ganguly also batted for his inclusion. I feel the age factor is just an excuse. But any player performing well should be pushed,” he added.
With Shami, Bumrah and Siraj not in the ODI squad to face the Proteas, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are likely to take the new ball.
Edited by Parag Jain
