Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly threw his weight behind the veteran pacer Muhammad Shamicalled on voters to bring him back to the national structure. First speaking in Calcutta IPL 2026 collision between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders on 9 April, Ganguly highlighted Shami’s recent performances as undeniable proof of his readiness for international cricket.
Ganguly said these words during the opening of the third season of the series Bengal Pro T20 Leaguewhere he openly questioned the experienced fast bowler’s continued exclusion. According to him, Shami’s current form and fitness make him an automatic choice for India’s pace attack.
Sourav Ganguly explains why Mohammad Shami should return to play for Team India
A strong tactician, Ganguly emphasized that Shami’s role would need to be defined if he returns as Jasprit Bumrah’s new partner.
“He should be bowling on the other end of Bumrah, not anywhere else. That’s how good he is.” Ganguly emphasized Shami’s belief in his ability to strike early and control the game from the front.
The former skipper cited Shami’s recent IPL outing against Sunrisers Hyderabad as a perfect example of his match-winning ability. In that game, the paceman delivered a sensational spell of 9 for 2 in four overs, dismantling a strong top order. Head of Travis and Abhishek Sharma. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and drew widespread praise.
“We all saw that magic last night against SunRisers Hyderabad – four overs, nine runs from Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, two of the best T20 players. It was phenomenal” Ganguly added.
Ganguly also cited Shami’s consistent performances in domestic cricket as further proof of his hunger and commitment. Representative of Bengal Ranji TrophyThe 35-year-old had a great season. He scored 37 goals, scored an average of 16.72 points and was among the leading goalkeepers of the tournament. Ganguly particularly recalled Shami’s heroics in the semi-final, where he claimed eight wickets despite Bengal being on the losing side.
“He had a strong Ranji Trophy season for Bengal. I still remember that semi-final – even though Bengal lost, he took eight wickets. He helped take the team this far.” Ganguly said.
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Voters have not yet recalled Shami despite successive demonstrations
Despite his strong performances across formats, Shami remains out of the national team, with the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee yet to recall him. This continued neglect has raised questions among fans and pundits alike, especially given India’s constant search for experienced fast bowling options to support Bumrah.
Ganguly is optimistic about Shami’s future. He expressed confidence that the veteran pacer’s time will come again, stressing that quality players eventually find their way back.
“I still believe he should play for India. Hopefully, his time will come again because he’s that good. When the ball comes out with that steep seam, it’s great to watch.” he added.
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