Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami for a comeback to the national team across all formats. Ganguly believes the experienced pacer is fully fit, bowling beautifully, and still has a lot to contribute to Indian cricket. Despite being 35, Shami remains one of India’s most reliable and skilled fast bowlers, yet he has been overlooked for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa.
Shami, who last represented India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, has been performing brilliantly in domestic cricket, showing that age has not slowed him down. Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami, saying his recent performances prove that he deserves another chance in the national side.
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Ganguly Praises Shami’s Form and Fitness
Speaking about Shami’s recent form, Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami by highlighting how well he has bowled for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. According to Ganguly, Shami’s fitness and consistency have been outstanding, proving he still belongs at the international level.
“Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit, and we saw that in the three Ranji Trophy matches where he almost single-handedly won games for Bengal,” Ganguly said on Monday.
The senior pacer has taken 15 wickets in his first two Ranji matches this season. Though he went wicketless in one game against Tripura, his earlier performances were instrumental in Bengal’s victories. He bowled 91 overs in three matches, demonstrating both endurance and rhythm after returning from ankle surgery.
Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami, noting that his recovery from injury has been remarkable. Shami underwent ankle surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 24 wickets at an average of 10.70. His outstanding performance helped India reach the final and reminded fans of his world-class ability.
Ganguly further added that Shami’s bowling skills and experience make him an automatic choice for India across all three formats.
“I’m sure the selectors are watching him closely and communicating with him. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the same Mohammed Shami we’ve known for years. Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami to keep playing Test matches, One-Day cricket, and T20 cricket for India. His skill level is enormous,” Ganguly told PTI.
Selectors Looking Beyond Shami?
Despite his stellar performances, Shami has not been included in India’s 15-member squad for the two home Tests against South Africa starting Friday at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The decision has surprised fans and experts, especially since Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami as one of India’s most consistent and experienced pacers.
With younger bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep now part of the Test setup, it appears the selectors are planning for the future. However, Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami, insisting that experience and proven match-winning ability should not be ignored — especially in challenging Test conditions.
Some believe the selectors are being cautious due to Shami’s injury history, keeping in mind the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is still two years away. However, Shami’s dominant return to domestic cricket has shown that he is fully fit and capable of handling the workload.
Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami, emphasizing that his swing, pace, and control are unmatched. His ability to take wickets with both the new and old ball makes him an invaluable asset for India in all formats.
Earlier this year, Shami had expressed his frustration about not being part of India’s recent Test matches, saying he still has the hunger to perform for his country. Ganguly’s words have now reignited discussions about Shami’s return, as fans and former cricketers echo the same sentiment — that Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami because he continues to be one of India’s best fast bowlers.
As the Test series against South Africa kicks off at Shami’s home ground, Eden Gardens, the absence of the star pacer will be felt. Still, with Sourav Ganguly strongly backs Mohammed Shami trending among cricket fans, it’s clear that the selectors will have to revisit their decision soon.
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source: The Indian Express
