Team India has announced its 15-member squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa starting 14 November, and senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami has once again been left out. The decision has sparked major discussion, as Shami was fully fit and in good domestic rhythm.
Pant Returns, Shami Missing
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant made his comeback after recovering from a long injury, but Shami’s exclusion continued for the third straight Test series. He was missing against England, then West Indies, and now again against South Africa.
Shami Strong Ranji Performance Ignored
Shami recently produced an impressive show in Ranji Trophy:
- 15 wickets in 3 matches
- 93 overs bowled
- Five-wicket haul vs Gujarat
- Played key role in Bengal’s wins
Despite proving his fitness and form, he did not find a place in the squad.
Selectors Unsure About Long Spells
Reports suggest that selectors are not confident whether Shami’s body can handle long red-ball spells regularly. Even in domestic cricket, he bowled shorter spells with breaks, which created doubts over his Test workload capacity.
Did His Recent Statements Hurt Chances?
A PTI report claims Shami’s public comments on selection and fitness may have worked against him. The selection committee reportedly did not appreciate the remarks, which might have weakened his case further.
Is This the End of His Test Career?
After the South Africa series, India will not play Test cricket for the next six months. With young pacers getting opportunities and Shami repeatedly overlooked, questions are rising on whether the doors are slowly closing for the veteran pacer.
India’s Test Squad vs South Africa
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.
