Mohammed Shami has not played for India in about one-and-a-half years. At 36, he has dealt with repeated injuries in recent seasons. The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, seems to have shifted focus toward younger fast bowlers. This has led to questions about whether Shami is being ignored because of his age, especially since he has continued to perform in domestic cricket. Some observers have argued that the BCCI should not rule him out based on age alone. They point to experienced fast bowlers like Mitchell Starc, who continue to play for Australia.
Chopra Says Age Is Not the Reason
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the situation. He said age is not the only reason Shami is out of the Indian team. Chopra explained that there is a clear difference between Shami and Mitchell Starc. Starc has stayed fit and played continuously. Whenever he has returned to action, he has led the Australian attack. There are no questions about his form, fitness, or sharpness.
Mohammed Shami, on the other hand, has had injuries. He had surgery and then spent time away from the game. When he returned to domestic cricket, there were doubts about his pace and whether he was fully bowling with intensity. He did take wickets, but that sharpness seemed to be missing.
Chopra Rejects the Age Argument
Chopra also rejected the idea that Shami’s age is the reason he has been left out. He pointed to the continued selection of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are older than Shami. Chopra said it would be absurd to drop someone because of age when veterans like Kohli and Rohit are still being picked. He added that he does not think age is the factor. At some point, the selectors will explain their reasoning, but Chopra does not believe it is about age.
Shami recently completed 100 first-class matches. He reached this milestone while playing for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. This shows that he is still active in domestic cricket and has not stepped away from the game.
What Lies Ahead for Mohammed Shami
Shami’s future with the Indian team remains uncertain. The selectors appear to be looking at younger options, and Shami’s injury history has made it harder for him to return. While he continues to play domestic cricket and reach personal milestones, a comeback to the national side may depend on proving his fitness and form. For now, the debate continues over whether his exclusion is fair or simply a result of the team moving in a new direction.
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