Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed fast bowler Mohammed Shami after he was left out of the ODI squad despite performing well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shami, a seasoned player, faced renewed scrutiny over his international future as he was excluded from India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.
This omission adds to a series of setbacks for the 35-year-old Shami, who has not played for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy victory. Despite his return to competitive cricket after an injury layoff, Shami missed out on selection for various series, including Tests against England, West Indies, and South Africa, as well as the recent ODI series against Australia.
Expressing his views on YouTube, Pathan highlighted Shami’s significant contribution to the game, having taken 450-500 international wickets. He emphasized the need for consistent performance in cricket, especially for seasoned players like Shami, who have to continually prove themselves.
Questioning the concerns raised about Shami’s fitness, Pathan pointed out that Shami has already bowled 200 overs, demonstrating his physical readiness. He suggested that Shami should focus on performing well in the upcoming IPL to showcase his skills and make a strong comeback to the national squad.
India is gearing up to face New Zealand in a three-match ODI series starting on January 11, followed by a five-match T20I series.
