Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has demonstrated his exceptional skills by achieving a hat-trick in the Bengal T20 League, leading Siliguri Strikers to a commanding victory over Rarh Tigers. This performance comes at a crucial time for the 35-year-old, as he has been increasingly left out of the Indian team’s plans across formats.

Shami’s hat-trick saw him dismiss Shahbaz Ahmed in the 16th over, followed by the quick removals of Rohit Kumar and Dipanjan Mukherjee with successive deliveries. He finished the match with impressive bowling figures of 4 overs for 27 runs, significantly contributing to his team’s triumph.

This dazzling display re-ignites discussions regarding his future in international cricket, particularly given his exclusion from India’s recent line-ups despite a solid domestic season.

Ongoing Exclusion from National Team

Shami’s latest performance follows his omission from the Indian squad for the Afghanistan series, a decision that has drawn attention after another absence earlier in the year when he was not chosen for the ODI series against New Zealand. His exclusion has raised questions about the selection committee’s confidence in his fitness and longevity in the game.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar commented on the matter, stating, “No discussions regarding Shami’s Test return had taken place. He has demonstrated his capability at the domestic level, but it appears that his focus right now is on T20 cricket.” This indicates that selectors have reservations concerning Shami’s workload and overall fitness, which remains a pivotal factor in their decisions.

Despite Shami’s resurgence in competitive cricket, the management seems reluctant to reintegrate him into the ODI and Test squads, leaving him on the periphery of the national team plans.

Shami’s Domestic Performance and Future Prospects

The pacer last played for India in the Champions Trophy final in March 2025, after which he has been absent from the national setup for both ODIs and Tests. Despite an impressive domestic season where he took 47 wickets across 16 matches, including 20 in the Ranji Trophy, 16 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and 11 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, this has not propelled him back into consideration for the national team.

Shami’s performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, where he secured 12 wickets, did not significantly enhance his prospects either. His average of 38.25 reflected a lack of effectiveness, and the Lucknow Super Giants’ poor performance, finishing at the bottom of the table, did not help in altering perceptions regarding his future in the sport.

Now at 35, Shami finds himself in a complex situation as India transitions its pace-bowling line-up. The selectors are focusing on nurturing younger talent to build a fast-bowling ensemble capable of meeting the demands of upcoming tournaments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Even as the selectors strategically plan for the future, Shami’s recent achievements in the Bengal T20 League serve as a reminder of his ability to impact matches and reaffirm his status as one of India’s notable white-ball bowlers in contemporary cricket.

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