Raina told fans at the Indian Soft Ball Cricket League launch that Mohammed Shami is poised to re‑enter the national squad, following Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 28‑wicket IPL season.
Shami, who last bowled for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy and in the 2023 World Test Championship final, has been grinding in domestic circuits; his 18 wickets from 22 IPL games in 2025‑26 come at an economy of 10, a figure that has rattled selectors.
Bhuvneshwar, on the other hand, proved that precision can eclipse pace; in 2025‑26 he claimed 25 wickets in powerplay overs and 18 in the death, finishing as the IPL’s second‑highest wicket‑taker with a tidy 8.07 economy.
‘Making it to the Indian team at 36 shows character,’ Raina said, praising Bhuv’s discipline and hard work; he added, ‘Shami is right behind him, so don’t worry,’ hinting at a swift recall.
If selectors heed the veteran’s words, Shami’s experience could anchor India’s pace attack heading into the upcoming Test series against England, while Bhuv’s success underlines the value of controlled swing in the shorter format.
India’s next challenge comes on the field, with a two‑match ODI series against Sri Lanka slated to begin on October 20.