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The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill seem to have moved on from veteran pacer Mohammed Shami. Despite impressive performances in domestic cricket across formats, Shami faced the snub from ODIs once again. As the 35-year-old wasn’t picked for the three-ODI series against New Zealand, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan wants him to wreak havoc in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 donning the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) jersey.
“The biggest talking point is Shami. What is his future? He isn’t someone who came yesterday, played a few matches and left. He has taken 450–500 international wickets, which is a huge number," Pathan said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“But Shami has already bowled 200 overs. After bowling 200 overs, if fitness is the question, then fitness has already been shown. What more improvement is needed? Only the selection committee knows what they are thinking.
“If I were him, I would go and play the IPL and create havoc. I would take the new ball and perform at such a level. Domestic cricket performances are discussed, but when the IPL comes and you show your old rhythm and fitness, then no one can ignore you," Pathan added.
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How Shami has fared in Vijay Hazare Trophy?
From five games in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025-26, Shami has bagged 11 wickets at an average of 22.27. He is Bengal's leading wicket-taker in the VHT 2025-26.
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He will be back in action against Hyderabad in Rajkot on January 6. He will bowl to the likes of Tilak Varma, the Hyderabad skipper who scored a match-winning 109 against Chandigarh in the previous clash. Varma has been dropped from the ODI squad as well.
Shami's ODI record vs New Zealand
Shami has played 16 ODIs against New Zealand and claimed 38 wickets at an average of 21.15, including a seven-fer in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 semi-final.
Shami to lead LSG attack
Siraj did not go into the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) traded him to LSG for Rs 10 crore. He will lead the pace attack which consists of Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Arjun Tendulkar and others.
Siraj returns
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj returned to the fold in the absence of a rested Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj's last ODI appearance was against Australia in October 2025. He was dropped for the home ODI series against South Africa.
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