Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has showered praise on Mohammed Shami and added that the veteran pacer is not that far away from Jasprit Bumrah. Shami has been ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel despite decent performances in the Ranji Trophy.
The fast bowler from Bengal has scalped 20 wickets in four matches of the Ranji Trophy at an average of 18.60. Shami has all the experience under his belt but he has struggled with fitness and injury woes in the last two years.
Kaif expressed his surprise after Shami is consistently ignored by the selectors.
Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “I’m not ready to accept it. If he is playing Ranji, he is signalling that I’m consistently taking wickets and bowling longer spells, how else do you prove fitness? By playing, by bowling and taking wickets. So, I’m not sure what is the reason behind not playing him. This was a good chance to play Shami, given Bumrah is not there as his workload is being managed.”
“There is also T20 World Cup in 2026, so it makes sense to keep him for T20s and give a break from ODIs. He played the T20Is in Australia but not ODIs. Siraj is not there either, so Mohammed Shami could’ve been given an opportunity. Shami is an experienced player and the youngsters would’ve benefitted with his presence,” he added.
Kaif highlighted that Shami has been consistently taking wickets, which makes his omission surprising.
“If he is playing and struggling to take wickets, the selectors can say he is not playing. But that’s not the case. Whenever Shami is playing, he is taking wickets. He is a once in a generation player, not that far from Bumrah. He took 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup. Shami took those wickets in flat pitches. If you include him and is struggling to field or for wickets, it makes sense to drop him and look at new players,” Kaif continued.
The former UP batter observed that the Australian trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are delivering the goods despite crossing 30 as they are making the most of their experience.
“The question is not about performance but might be about fitness or age. But even Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are 30+. If players are bringing in the experience, age shouldn’t be a question. Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood are regulars. I think players get better with age. If Shami is fit and able to take wickets, he must play,” he concluded.
Shami will look to keep up the good form in the domestic circuit.
