Wasim Jaffer slammed on his YouTube channel, demanding that selectors heed Mohammed Shami’s performance: 37 wickets in seven Ranji matches, a haul that has turned the Bengal side into semi‑finalists. He added, “If Shami is neglected, the door will be closed.”
Shami, who had been out of action for months on a long injury lay‑off, has been on a tear since his return to domestic cricket. He snared 15 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, 16 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and then finished the season with a blistering 7‑for‑East Zone in the Duleep Trophy—his best in 14 years.
Jaffer is not just talking about Tests; he’s already eyeing the 2027 ODI World Cup. “The ODI side has tried Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy, but none of them have made the mark,” he said. “Shami, Bumrah, and Siraj should be the core before the rebuild.”
The selectors haven’t yet responded, but the buzz is that Shami’s experience could anchor the bowling unit as India prepares for the England Test series next month. A comeback would also add depth to the squad for the upcoming series of T20Is against Pakistan.
India’s next test match is the opening fixture against England on September 3rd, a chance for Shami to prove he still has what it takes to swing the ball on the sub‑continental pitches.