Follow UsThe 2025 Duleep Trophy was set to be key for Mohammed Shami to work his way back into the Indian Test side.
Left out of the England tour for form and fitness reasons, Shami, who was picked for East Zone, had a golden opportunity in front of him in the form of the Duleep Trophy, to make a statement and essentially force the national selectors to consider him.
However, the Duleep Trophy has started and ended on a very poor note for the veteran pacer, who has finished the clash against North Zone — and in turn the tournament — with figures of 1/136, taking the solitary wicket of No.7 batter Sahil Lotra.
The concern with Shami is a two-fold one. For one, he picked only one wicket while going at exactly four runs per over, which is a red-flag in itself. However, what will concern the national selectors even more is that he bowled just 11 overs out of a possible 147 in North Zone’s second innings. Whether it was a tactical call by East Zone to not risk him remains to be seen, but every other frontline bowler delivered at least 17 overs in the second innings.
Given one of the main reasons for Shami’s exclusion for the England tour was the selectors’ lack of faith in his ability to bowl long spells, this showing against North Zone will do his chances of a Test return no favours. At this point, it looks highly unlikely that the 34-year-old will make a Test return, let alone be picked for the upcoming home Tests against West Indies and South Africa.
Recently, Shami had said in an interview that he will not retire, and will continue playing domestic cricket even if he’s ignored by the national selectors.
“You don’t pick me in internationals, I will play domestic. I will keep playing somewhere or the other. Retirement and such decisions are made when you start feeling bored, when you don’t want to wake up at 7 AM for a Test,” Shami had said.
“That is not the time for me now. I’ll be up at 5 if you want me to,” he had added.