Overview
- India omitted the 35-year-old seamer from the two-Test home series starting November 14, with reports attributing the call to concerns over his match fitness.
- Shami has taken 15 wickets in his first three Ranji Trophy matches, highlighted by a match-turning five-for at Eden Gardens against Gujarat.
- Coach Mohammed Badruddin contends Shami is fully fit, alleges pre-decided picks influenced by T20 metrics, and predicts a forceful return.
- Badruddin argues Shami’s presence would have supported pace rotation and reduced Jasprit Bumrah’s workload during the series.
- Shami will press his case in domestic cricket with Bengal’s next fixture against Railways on November 8 after being overlooked for both the senior squad and India A.