Mohammed Shami, the seasoned pace bowler for India, consistently stands out as a performer in various cricket formats. His impactful contributions in Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs) have consistently established him as a game-changer for the team. Despite showcasing his skills with the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shami’s future in international T20 cricket remains uncertain. Recently, Shami openly acknowledged his lack of clarity regarding his role in the shortest format of the game.
Shami’s most recent appearance for India in T20 cricket dates back to the T20 World Cup against England last year. Despite consistently delivering strong performances, the experienced pacer has not found a place in the T20 squad selected by the cricket board since then. While players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma made their comeback to T20 internationals in the three-match series against Afghanistan, marking their return since the previous year’s T20 World Cup, Shami was notably absent from the team.
Mohammed Shami, a key contributor to India’s 2022 T20 World Cup campaign, faces uncertainty about his inclusion in the upcoming edition. Despite an impressive performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he emerged as the top wicket-taker with 24 dismissals despite missing the initial three matches due to injury, Shami is eager to make his mark in the T20 format.
Shami’s recent success extends to domestic leagues, particularly the IPL 2023, where he represented the Gujarat Titans and claimed the Purple Cap as the highest wicket-taker with 28 dismissals. His impactful contributions in both international and league cricket highlight his value as a crucial player.
Emphasizing the importance of the upcoming IPL season in the T20 World Cup selection, Shami asserts that performance should be the deciding factor. He believes that if he performs well, he should be considered for the T20 World Cup, expressing his eagerness to represent India in the tournament.
While Shami is currently sidelined due to injury, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are resting during the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan. However, the duo is set to return for the Test series against England, commencing on January 25.
