Follow UsThe forthcoming edition of the Indian Premier League could determine Mohammed Shami’s future in T20I cricket. Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been around for quite some time now, and the emergence of Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan has forced Shami out of contention.
The 31-year-old paceman featured in the 2021 T20 World Cup but hasn’t played a T20I since then. The right-arm seamer, who has an economy of 9.54 in 17 T20Is, has a history of leaking runs in the shortest format of the game and is yet to have a phenomenal IPL season. Shami will play for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022.
"It’s difficult to sustain all-format bowlers for all conditions. Jasprit Bumrah is the only one who has excelled in all formats. This team management believes in presenting a clear picture to all the players. Shami will surely be spoken to,” a BCCI source told the Times of India.
"His ODI career is much better placed. But this IPL will be a kind of trial for him to be considered for the T20 World Cup and he also understands it."
At least one of Chahar, Harshal and Thakur will feature in the playing XI considering all of them can bat. While Shami is still a valuable asset for India in Test cricket, it’s highly unlikely that he will be part of India’s squad for this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
“With Shardul and Deepak, it helps in lengthening the batting line-up, which enables the top order to go hard from the word go. Shami is an invaluable asset in Test cricket. The team would want him fresh for every Test in the rest of the World Test Championship.”
The team management will also have a close eye on fast-bowling all-rounders Venkatesh Iyer and Hardik Pandya, while the progress of legspinner Rahul Chahar will also be monitored.
“Rahul is an exciting prospect. This IPL will be an indicator and help the selectors to trim the pool of players.”