Why Mohammed Shami deserves a place in India Test team

Dubai: The first Test between India and South Africa in Kolkata ended abruptly inside three days, with the visitors clinching a memorable 30-run victory — their first win on Indian soil in 15 years. In a match where batters struggled and bowlers dictated terms from start to finish, India’s narrow defeat raised an important question: Did the hosts miss the experience and bite of Mohammed Shami?

Low-scoring and fiercely competitive, the match underlined a simple truth — this was a bowler’s game from ball one. India’s pacers held their own, generating movement and maintaining pressure, but the attack lacked the incisive edge that someone like Shami naturally provides. His ability to produce game-changing spells in the middle overs was noticeably absent when India needed breakthroughs the most.

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes the answer is obvious: Shami must return to the Test setup.

Speaking on Sports Tak, Ganguly stressed that experience remains priceless in Test cricket. “He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. I think Shami deserves a place in this Test team. Shami and the spinners will win Test matches for him,” Ganguly said, emphasising that the pacer’s role is still vital despite a long injury layoff.

Ganguly’s endorsement reflects a growing sentiment: India’s bowling attack, though rich in talent, still leans on the proven match-winners in crunch situations.

Shami’s red-ball credentials are unquestionable. Over the years, he has delivered breakthrough spells across continents — whether dismantling batting line-ups in Australia, exploiting overcast mornings in England, or hitting the perfect lengths in South Africa. His elite strike rate places him among modern greats, and his trademark upright seam has made him deadly even on docile surfaces where most fast bowlers struggle.

One of Shami’s greatest strengths is his ability to break partnerships. When games drift, he pulls them back. When pitches flatten out, he still finds a way to make the ball talk. Very few bowlers in world cricket possess such consistency and adaptability.

The veteran pacer’s recent career, however, has been stop-start. A knee injury sidelined him for over a year, knocking him out of major assignments. He returned to international cricket late last year in white-ball formats, even featuring in India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign.

But a below-par IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) raised fresh concerns. The selectors opted against picking him for key series afterward — including the England Tests for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the 2025 Asia Cup, and the home series against West Indies — citing fitness as the primary reason.

Despite the setbacks, Shami is making a compelling case once again. Turning out for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, he has already taken 15 wickets in his first three matches, displaying rhythm, accuracy, and renewed intensity. In the ongoing match against Assam in Kalyani, he added two more scalps on day one — a strong indication that his comeback is not just hopeful but convincing.

Beyond statistics, Shami brings something that cannot be manufactured: experience. His deep understanding of conditions, ability to preserve the ball over long spells, and tactical acumen benefit younger pacers like Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, and Akash Deep. Test cricket demands mental resilience, strategic brilliance, and the capacity to adapt across sessions. Shami offers all three in abundance.

As India looks to build its next generation of fast bowlers, the presence of a seasoned campaigner becomes even more critical.

Shami’s omission in the first Test has already sparked debate. While India’s current fast-bowling pool is one of the strongest in world cricket, the Kolkata defeat highlighted that experience remains irreplaceable in crunch moments.

Shami is not just another option — he is a proven match-winner. His skillset is rare, his impact undeniable, and his return could instantly elevate India’s attack into a more formidable, balanced unit.