Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is firmly in competition for a return to worldwide cricket, with India’s three-match ODI collection in opposition to New Zealand scheduled to start on January 11, 2026. After months on the sidelines following harm, Shami’s spectacular home performances have caught the eye of selectors, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah set to be rested for the collection.
India’s choice panel is intently monitoring Shami’s health, however the early indicators counsel the skilled seamer could possibly be entrusted with main the tempo assault within the ODIs. The transfer can be seen as a part of a broader roadmap in the direction of the 2027 ODI World Cup, the place expertise is anticipated to play a vital function.
Home performances strengthen Mohammed Shami’s case
Shami has made a compelling assertion via his performances in home cricket throughout codecs. Representing Bengal, he has picked up 17 wickets in six latest limited-overs matches. This contains six wickets in three Vijay Hazare Trophy video games, highlighted by a tidy spell of three for 40 in opposition to Chandigarh. Within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he added one other 11 wickets, exhibiting consistency and management within the shorter format.
His red-ball kind has been equally spectacular. Shami claimed 20 wickets in simply 4 Ranji Trophy matches, underlining that his rhythm and stamina have returned following harm considerations. Notably, his final look for India got here within the Champions Trophy ultimate in March 2025, the place he completed as joint-highest wicket-taker with 9 scalps, reinforcing his pedigree on the large stage.
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Selectors set to prioritise expertise over youth
In keeping with a number of stories, the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that Shami “just isn’t out of reckoning,” stressing that health stays the one field to tick. One of many BCCI officers famous that the Bengal pacer is “wanting good for the New Zealand One-Day collection” and hinted that his choice mustn’t come as a shock.
With Bumrah rested for the ODIs to handle his workload forward of T20I collection and the T20 World Cup 2026, the selectors are eager to depend on Shami’s expertise slightly than blooding youthful choices equivalent to Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna. The assumption is that Shami’s calm presence and tactical consciousness can anchor a comparatively transitional ODI unit.
If recalled, Shami is anticipated to spearhead the tempo assault alongside Arshdeep Singh, forming a balanced mixture of expertise and youth. The ODI collection shall be performed on January 11 in Vadodara, January 14 in Rajkot and January 18 in Indore, providing Shami ample alternative to re-establish himself within the 50-over setup.
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