Mohammed Shami is not ready to give up on India. Left out of the national squad for the tour of New Zealand across formats, the veteran fast bowler has finally spoken about his continued absence from the Indian team, insisting that he still has plenty to offer and that his hopes of wearing the India blue again are very much alive.
"I'm still at my peak, why would I give up hope of playing for India?" Shami said, in comments that reflect both his frustration and his determination. The 36-year-old seamer, who has been one of India's most reliable fast bowlers across formats, has now gone without a national call-up since the Champions Trophy ended, with selectors seemingly moving on without him.
Shami made it clear that the decision now rests entirely with the selection panel. "It depends on the selectors whether they give me a chance or not. As far as fitness is concerned... Now, I'm just waiting for my opportunity," he said, underlining that he believes his form and physical condition warrant another look.
The omission from the New Zealand tour was particularly stinging because Shami had pinned his hopes on domestic performances to force his way back into the Test side. He had expected that strong showings in the Ranji Trophy would catch the selectors' attention and earn him a recall. That hope, however, has not translated into selection, and the seamer remains on the outside looking in despite his efforts.
The selection saga surrounding Shami has played out in public for some time now. In past conversations, the fast bowler has pushed back against the notion that fitness concerns are keeping him out, once asking pointedly: "Did I look unfit?" — a direct challenge to the selection committee's apparent reasoning. That combative streak remains, but it is now tempered with patience as he waits for his chance.
Shami's attitude through all of this has been remarkably measured. Rather than lashing out at the selectors, he has consistently said he wants his performances to do the talking. That philosophy has defined his approach to the current situation: keep playing, keep performing, and let the numbers speak. He remains motivated, and his belief in himself does not appear to have wavered despite the snub.
The veteran's recent domestic form gives weight to his argument. Shami helped East Zone win the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone, a significant achievement in one of India's premier domestic tournaments. Performances like these are precisely what the fast bowler hoped would convince chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his committee to bring him back into the fold.
But selection remains stubbornly out of reach. Not since the Champions Trophy ended has Shami been seriously looked at by the selectors across any format. For a bowler who was once central to India's pace plans, the sustained absence is a sobering development — and one that has clearly not gone down easily with the player himself.
In the same conversation where he discussed his India ambitions, Shami also turned his attention to the next generation, praising young batting talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. "The kid in our team is literally as old as my career," Shami remarked, a comment that both highlighted the age gap between the veteran and the newcomer and underscored Shami's appreciation for the youngster's talent.
The remark was telling. Here is a 36-year-old bowler who has spent years mastering one of cricket's most difficult crafts — reverse swing — watching a player essentially a generation younger make waves. Rather than showing resentment, Shami spoke with genuine admiration, suggesting that his competitive fire coexists with a generous appreciation for emerging talent.
Shami has often spoken about the craft of reverse swing, the art that has made him so devastating with the older ball. His ability to make the ball move late at pace has been his signature weapon, and his understanding of the mechanics of swing bowling is widely regarded as among the best in the game. It is that mastery, combined with his experience, that he believes still makes him an asset to any side.
Throughout this difficult period, Shami has returned to a simple philosophy that has guided his career. "I always say you play for the badge," he has said in the past — a statement that captures his deep pride in representing India and his unwillingness to surrender that dream. The badge, for him, is worth fighting for, even at 36, even when the selectors appear to have moved on.
The question now is whether the selection committee shares his belief. Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors hold the cards, and so far they have not dealt them in Shami's favour. Whether that changes depends on many factors: team balance, the emergence of younger quicks, Shami's own form in domestic cricket, and the selectors' long-term planning for India's pace attack.
For now, Shami waits. He trains, he plays, he performs. The waiting game is not one he chose, but it is one he is prepared to endure. His message to the selectors — and to Indian cricket fans — is unambiguous: he is still here, he is still at his peak, and he has not given up.
In a career defined by resilience, this may be the toughest chapter yet. Shami has overcome injuries, competition, and setbacks before. The current challenge is different — it is not about recovering form or fitness but about convincing a selection panel that has stopped picking up the phone. His strategy is simple: keep performing, keep waiting, and trust that his opportunity will come.
Whether that patience is rewarded remains to be seen. But one thing is clear from Shami's words: he will not be the one to close the door on his India career. As long as he is fit and performing, he believes he deserves a chance. The rest, as he says, is up to the selectors.
His willingness to speak so openly is itself significant. Players in Shami's position often choose silence, allowing speculation to swirl around their futures. Shami has instead taken the opposite approach — airing his case directly, reminding the selectors of what he offers, and placing the ball firmly in their court. It is the stance of a man who believes his record and his form make the argument for him, and who refuses to quietly fade from contention.
The coming months will test that resolve. Domestic cricket continues, and with it comes more opportunity for Shami to let his performances speak. Every wicket is an argument; every spell is a reminder. For a bowler of his experience, the template is familiar — the only unfamiliar part is the waiting. But if his words are anything to go by, Shami is prepared to wait as long as it takes.
(Reporting based on SportsCafe and RevSportz.)