Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has questioned Mohammed Shami’s continuous absence from the Indian squad despite consistent performances in the domestic circuit. Jaffer praised Shami’s recent performance in the Duleep Trophy for East Zone.

Shami returned with figures of 2-42 in 16 overs he bowled in the first innings of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone, accounting for Shaik Rasheed and Smaran Ravichandran.

Shami scalped seven wickets in three matches of the Duleep Trophy at an average of 26.57 and consistently delivered for East Zone. The veteran pacer last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy and since then he hasn’t been considered for selection despite decent performances at the domestic level.

“Shami bowled really well and I saw how he set the batters up. It is unfortunate that he is still having to prove himself even now. I don’t know what to say. We have to wait till the team for the New Zealand series is picked and see what the selectors think. It is very unfortunate as there are very few like him with that craft. It hurts that players like him are not in the team,” Jaffer said in a video on his YouTube channel.

On the other hand, Jaffer reckons getting some game time under his belt is crucial for Jasprit Bumrah, who returned to action after recovering from a knee injury, ahead of the Asian Games.

“I think playing some cricket is also important for Bumrah. The team will go to the Asian Games from here, so there has to be some cricket under his belt. If he goes there directly, you will not have much margin, as it is a high-pressure tournament with every game being important. I feel that is why they picked him. He has not played for a while now and I am sure he would want to play as well. Even the New Zealand series is coming up. If he is fit, he should play. He has not played for a while, so this is a good decision,” he said.

Bumrah got the big wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in his first over.