The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to announce the much-anticipated Indian ODI squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand, with the spotlight firmly on the potential comeback of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami. The selection committee, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, convened on January 3 to finalize the squad, with the official announcement expected by January 4.
Mounting Pressure for Shami's Inclusion
The call for Shami's return to the national team has grown into a crescendo, backed by fans and cricketing legends alike. The premier fast bowler has been sidelined from international cricket since the Champions Trophy final in March 2025 due to injury and subsequent fitness concerns. Many believe the Indian bowling attack has missed his exceptional skill and experience, particularly with the new ball.
Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly strongly advocated for Shami's selection back in November. "Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit, and we saw in the three Ranji Trophy matches, where he's won Bengal on his own," Ganguly stated. He emphasized that Shami's enormous skill makes him a candidate for all formats.
Adding his powerful voice, former head coach Ravi Shastri had earlier questioned the lack of communication regarding Shami's status and expressed surprise that he wasn't flown to Australia for the Test series. Even Australian great Ricky Ponting voiced his surprise, suggesting Shami could have been the difference-maker in Australia even if not at full fitness.
Fitness vs. Form: The Crucial Debate
According to the BCCI, the sole hurdle for Shami has been fitness, not form. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has maintained that the pacer needs to regain his rhythm through domestic cricket. Shami has responded emphatically on the field. His recent performances for Bengal have been highly impressive, silencing many doubters.
He excelled in the domestic white-ball tournaments, claiming 8 wickets in 4 matches (avg. 23.75) in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a stellar 16 wickets in 7 matches (avg. 14.93) in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. These performances have made a compelling case for his recall, proving his match readiness.
Fans and experts also recall his phenomenal performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as the tournament's leading wicket-taker despite not playing the initial matches. His ODI record is formidable: 206 wickets in 108 matches at an average of 24.05, with best figures of 7/57.
Squad Dynamics and Broader Context
The ODI series against New Zealand, beginning January 11 in Vadodara, is a significant step in India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The squad is expected to balance experience with fresh talent. While the return of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is eagerly awaited, Shubman Gill is set to lead the side.
In a move focused on workload management, key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya might be rested ahead of the T20 World Cup in February. The fitness of Shreyas Iyer remains a concern, and the wicketkeeper's slot is a toss-up between Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan.
As the cricketing world waits for the official announcement, all eyes are on whether the selectors will answer the widespread call and reintegrate a fit-again Mohammed Shami into the Indian setup, adding his proven wicket-taking prowess to the attack for the crucial New Zealand challenge.
