New Delhi, May 25, 2025 — The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday unveiled an 18-member squad for the upcoming five-Test series in England, set to commence on June 20. While the selection panel introduced fresh faces in Sai Sudharsan and Arshdeep Singh, the return of Shardul Thakur and Karun Nair also stood out. However, the most notable omission was that of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, raising questions about the future of his red-ball career.
Shami, who has been one of India’s most accomplished seamers since making his Test debut in 2013, has not been included due to ongoing fitness concerns. Despite a return to competitive cricket late last year and playing a role in India’s recent Champions Trophy triumph, Shami has yet to convince the team’s medical staff that his body is ready to endure the demanding workload of Test cricket.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar addressed the issue candidly during a press briefing in Mumbai. “He has been trying to get fit for the series but had a bit of a setback over the past week. He underwent MRIs and, based on the feedback from our medical team, his workload is not at the level required for a five-match Test series,” Agarkar stated. “Unfortunately, we were hoping he’d be available for at least part of the series, but at the moment, he’s not fit.”
The decision to exclude Shami, 34, may mark a turning point in his illustrious Test career. A former national selector, speaking to PTI, suggested that if Shami is not considered for tours of pace-friendly conditions like England or Australia, it is unlikely he will be picked for home series against teams such as the West Indies or South Africa.
“If Mohammed Shami isn’t available in Australia or England, why would the selectors pick him against West Indies and South Africa at home? They might as well invest in younger options like Akash Deep, Arshdeep, Harshit or Mukesh as partners for Siraj or Bumrah,” the former selector observed.
The BCCI’s Sports Science and Medical Team recently evaluated Shami in Lucknow and concluded that he is currently not fit to bowl the 15–20 overs per day typically required from a frontline Test pacer.
Despite the setback, selectors left the door open for a future return, albeit cautiously. “A bowler like him will always try to make a comeback on merit,” Agarkar added. “But right now, our focus is on players who are fit and available.”
Shami has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key figure in India’s pace revolution over the past decade. His absence from the England tour may not just be a temporary setback, but perhaps a sign of a generational transition underway in India’s pace attack.
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