Daijiworld Media Network - Kalyani
Kalyani, Feb 18: Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami’s impressive run in domestic cricket should have paved the way for an India comeback, feels his long-time coach Badruddin Siddiqui, who, however, believes the selectors have chosen to look beyond him for now.
“Mujhe bhi wohi lagta hai ke selectors ab usse bhool gaye hain (I feel the selectors have forgotten about him),” Siddiqui said on Tuesday after Shami returned figures of 8 for 90 against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.
The 35-year-old produced a match-defining spell to help Bengal secure a slender 26-run first-innings lead. However, Jammu and Kashmir bowlers Auqib Nabi and Sunil Kumar struck back with four wickets apiece to dismiss Bengal for just 99 in their second innings.
While 29-year-old Nabi currently tops the tournament’s wicket charts with 55 scalps, Shami has claimed 36 wickets so far to sit sixth on the list. Bengal now require just 83 more runs for victory with eight wickets in hand.
Shami’s last international appearance came in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand. Since then, he has struggled to regain his place in the national side despite consistent domestic performances.
“It’s tough for him. It’s tough for me as well. He hasn’t made it back to the Indian team despite performance. He doesn’t have any other option but to keep performing and wait. Even today he took eight wickets and bowled more than 20 overs, so fitness is not the issue for sure,” Siddiqui said.
The coach also pointed out that India are yet to find a like-for-like replacement for the seasoned pacer in the longer format.
“I also think we don’t have a bowler like him in the Indian team yet. If we get someone like him, I can understand. We are losing Test matches at home. Even after that, they are making a bowler like Shami, a master of the red ball, sit out,” Siddiqui remarked.
Referring to recent defeats against South Africa and New Zealand, he added, “We have lost to South Africa and New Zealand but still he was snubbed. I keep telling him to perform. How long will he be ignored?”