Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan urged discarded veteran seamer Mohammed Shami to focus only on the controllables amid his ongoing snub from the Indian side across formats. Despite being among India’s most accomplished pacers, Shami has not played for them since March 2025.
After starring for India in their run to the final in the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 35-year-old did not play for over a year due to an ankle and heel injury. Shami returned to the side in January of last year but played only a handful of white-ball games before being overlooked following India’s 2025 Champions Trophy triumph.
Talking about Shami’s international future on journalist Vimal Kumar’s YouTube channel, Zaheer said (5:20):
“He has to continue doing what’s in his hands. It’s up to him to decide how he wants to go ahead. If he’s playing, it means he is available for the 2027 ODI World Cup. That’s how I see it, but I am not sure how the team management is looking at him.”
Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar had an indirect back-and-forth in the second half of last year regarding the former’s continued snub from the national side. The veteran pacer has continued to deliver strong performances in domestic cricket, including the 2026 IPL, where he picked up 13 wickets in as many matches.
“To his credit, Shami is doing what’s in his control” – Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan praised Mohammed Shami for taking care of the controllables and playing at a high level in domestic cricket. The right-arm pacer enjoyed an excellent Ranji Trophy 2025-26, finishing with 37 wickets at an average of under 17 in seven games.
“He has to just look at how he can contribute and do what’s within his control. He can’t analyse how the team management is looking at him, as it’s not in his control. And to his credit, Shami is doing what’s in his control, which is playing matches and performing,” said Zaheer (via the aforementioned source).
Shami is India’s all-time leader in ODI World Cup wickets with 55 at an incredible average of 13.52. Meanwhile, the 2027 ODI World Cup is likely to be played in October and November of next year in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
