The Indian team is gearing up to face New Zealand in the first international series of the new year. The Kiwi team is visiting India just before the T20 World Cup, with the series commencing on January 11. The two teams will first play an ODI series, and the Indian squad for this series is set to be announced on Saturday, January 3. While the immediate significance of this series and its announcement might not be paramount, for some players, it could be a decisive moment for their future. Among these, a prominent name is Mohammed Shami, while the question on every cricket enthusiast's mind is: Will Shami finally make his return to Team India?
Shami's Return Speculated
On Saturday, the selection committee, headed by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar, will convene an online meeting to pick the squad for the 3-match ODI series, while the announcement will subsequently be made on BCCI's social media channels and website. Some crucial news related to this series has already emerged, indicating that Rishabh Pant is likely to be dropped, while. Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will be rested to ensure their fitness for the T20 series and the upcoming World Cup. Amidst these developments, speculations about Mohammed Shami's return are gaining momentum, which would be welcome news for his fans.
Verbal Spat with Agarkar and Fitness Concerns
Mohammed Shami has been out of the Team India squad since the Champions Trophy last year. During this period, his fitness and form were constantly under scrutiny,. Leading to a public verbal spat with Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar. Both individuals exchanged remarks through the media, with Agarkar consistently raising questions about Shami's fitness, while Shami, in turn, responded by consistently performing in domestic cricket. This prolonged situation created uncertainty regarding Shami's international future.
Strong Performance in Domestic Cricket
Despite the earlier non-selection, the current situation appears to be in Shami's favor. The primary reason for this shift is Shami's continuous active participation and strong performances in domestic cricket over the past 3-4 months. In the first round of Ranji Trophy matches, Shami impressively claimed 20 wickets in just 7 innings, maintaining an excellent average of 18. 60. This performance served as clear evidence of his superb form and renewed fitness.
Impact in T20 and ODI Formats
Following his Ranji Trophy success, Shami also made his mark in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He picked up 16 wickets in 7 innings during this tournament. Although he proved to be a bit expensive in some matches, he consistently showed rhythm and managed to take crucial wickets. Also, his performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has also been effective, where he has already taken 8 wickets in 4 innings for Bengal, demonstrating his continued impact. These consistent performances have left the selectors with little reason to overlook him.
Strong Basis for Selection
Overall, Shami has fully embraced his responsibilities, proving himself through both fitness and form. Consequently, Agarkar and his committee have no valid reason to disregard Shami's performance. His consistent and strong showings have established him as a compelling contender for a return to Team India.
Opportunity to Rest Arshdeep and Harshit
Beyond his individual merit, another factor could work in Shami's favor. Team India is scheduled to play a T20 series immediately after the upcoming ODI series, followed by the T20 World Cup. This presents an opportunity for selectors to rest fast bowlers like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana from this series, ensuring they remain fit and conserve their energy for the World Cup. This could be a strategic move to prepare key bowlers for the major tournament.
An Opportunity for Agarkar to Reconcile
In this scenario, selecting Shami offers Ajit Agarkar an opportunity to mend fences and give a deserving Indian veteran his rightful place. Shami's experience and current form could prove beneficial for the team, especially when some key fast bowlers are being rested. This wouldn't only be an opportunity for Shami but also a chance for the selection committee to send a positive message that performance is always prioritized.
