Mohammed Shami to Play for This Team After Test Snub

India's veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami is all set to make a comeback into professional cricket after a long time. Shami has been added to the East Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2025, a tournament that can pave the way for his red-ball return. His aim would be to reclaim his place in the Indian Test team after being left out from the series against England.

Having been absent from the national side since March 2025 due to injuries, Mohammed Shami Duleep Trophy performance could be a defining step towards rejoining India’s Test squad, particularly after missing the 2025 England Test series.

Mohammed Shami Duleep Trophy: India Quick Eyes Test Spot

Shami is one of the best bowlers in the world since the last decade. After the knee injury post the ODI World Cup 2023, he is yet to return to his best bowling form. Mohammed Shami East Zone selection can allow him to reclaim his Test spot. His short stints in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy last year, plus limited overs in IPL 2025 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, signal he’s ready to fire up the bowling attack.

Shami’s most recent One-day International was during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in March. He played a starring role in India’s victorious campaign, picking up nine wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 5.68. He emerged as India's joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament alongside Varun Chakravarthy.

His highlight was a fiery 5/53 against Bangladesh, which also made him the fastest Indian to reach 200 ODI wickets. Despite occasional wayward moments, like five wides in an over against Pakistan, Shami’s ability to deliver under pressure was evident. The Duleep Trophy’s multi-day format will test his stamina, a key factor for Test cricket readiness.

Mohammed Shami IPL 2025 Performance

In IPL 2025, Mohammed Shami played for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who had signed him for INR 10 crore. However, his performance was below par, with just six wickets in nine matches at an average of 56.17 and an economy rate of 11.23. A particularly tough outing against Punjab Kings saw him concede 75 runs in four overs, one of the most expensive spells in IPL history.

This was a stark contrast to his 2023 Purple Cap-winning season with Gujarat Titans, where he claimed 28 wickets. However, his 11 wickets in nine Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches in late 2024 showed signs of recovery. The Duleep Trophy’s longer format will allow Shami to focus on consistency and endurance, critical for Test cricket.

Why was Mohammed Shami Not Selected for England Tests?

Despite being one of the key members of India's Test team over the last decade, Mohammed Shami wasn't selected in India's squad for the Test series against England. It is believed that Shami was earlier seen as a key player for England Tests due to fitness issues of one of the best fast bowlers in the world, Jasprit Bumrah.

However, Shami was himself deemed unfit for the longest format of the game. During the IPL 2025 season, he suffered an injury, which prompted him to sit out of some games. As a result, his fitness in the red-ball format became an issue. In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj became India's premier fast bowlers, with Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna in the squad as well.