Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has opined that Mohammad Shami’s non-inclusion in the BCCI’s 2025-26 central contracts indicates what his future holds. Shami has been consistently ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel across all three formats despite decent performances in the domestic circuit.
Shami has scalped 43 wickets in six matches of the ongoing Ranji Trophy at an impressive average of 18.03. Thus, he has played an instrumental role in taking Bengal to the quarterfinal of the red-ball domestic tournament. Chopra said Ishan Kishan’s exclusion from the central contract list is understandable as the observation period was from 1st Oct 2024 to 30th Sep 2025.
“Ishan Kishan’s name isn’t there because the observation period was from 1st Oct 2024 to 30th Sep 2025. What you did during that time period was important. You have been given contracts and the categories have been made after evaluating that. Ishan didn’t play at all in that period. In fact, he had even taken a break from cricket. So how will his name come?” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Ishan Kishan is not there today, but he will come. Shami’s name is not there, although Shami had played in that time period. He played the Champions Trophy, picked up wickets, and lifted the trophy as well. His name not being there, I think that tells us how his future is,” he added.
Meanwhile, Indian veteran batters – Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli – were demoted to Grade B after the duo announced their Test retirements in 2025.
“Rohit and Kohli are now not part of Grade A+, and they have been demoted to Grade B. To be honest, it makes sense because you cannot be in Grade A+ or Grade A if you are a one-format player. Garde A+ has been removed,” he said.
Speaking on Grade A players – Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah, Chopra said, “Only three players are in Grade A – Shubman Gill, who is a two-format player, Jasprit Bumrah, who is a three-format player, and Ravindra Jadeja, who is a two-format player, and there too it’s going slightly 50-50 in ODIs.”
