Mohammed Shami’s ODI snub sparks strong reaction from childhood coach Badruddin Siddique

In a surprising move, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami was excluded from India’s 15-member ODI squad for three-match series against New Zealand. Despite his vast experience and a strong presence in the domestic circuit this season, the selectors opted for a younger pace battery. Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna have been named as the preferred fast-bowling quartet for the 50-over format.

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Mohammed Shami's childhood coach hits out at Ajit Agarkar after pacer's ODI omission

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Shami’s childhood coach Badruddin Siddique, who openly questioned the rationale behind the omission. Speaking after the squad announcement, Badruddin expressed his frustration with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, suggesting that the veteran pacer is being unfairly overlooked. He noted that Shami has done everything required to prove his readiness, leaving the coach to wonder what more the bowler must do to regain his place in the national side.

“What more can a player do? How many more wickets should the player take?” Badruddin told India Today.

Shami’s current form in domestic cricket supports his case for a recall. He has been remarkably consistent throughout the ongoing season, claiming 11 wickets in five matches during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His most recent outing for Bengal was particularly impressive, where he picked up 3 for 55 against Assam, playing a pivotal role in bowling out the opposition for 217.

However, despite these performances, the coach remains pessimistic about Shami’s international future. He voiced concerns that the selection committee may have decided to move on from the 35-year-old entirely, prioritising younger talents as the team builds toward future global tournaments.

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“This means that they do not want him in the ODI team. He has a lot to give,” he added.

India has finalised its pace attack for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, opting for a blend of youth and international experience. The selection committee named Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Prasidh Krishna as the primary fast-bowling options, signaling a clear preference for this specific group in the 50-over format.

This decision comes as a significant blow to Shami, who remains excluded despite a prolific domestic season. The veteran pacer has been in exceptional form, claiming a total of 47 wickets across 16 matches in various formats. His impressive tally includes 20 wickets in just four Ranji Trophy games, 16 scalps in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and 11 wickets in his five most recent Vijay Hazare Trophy appearances. Despite this mountain of wickets, Shami has not featured for the national side since March 2025. His last international outing was the high-stakes Champions Trophy final, and his continued absence suggests the selectors may be looking toward the future, notwithstanding his dominant performances on the domestic circuit.

India's ODI squad for New Zealand series:

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal