Source: NDTV Sports

In the unforgiving world of professional cricket, milestones often serve as a poignant reminder of an athlete’s enduring journey. For Mohammed Shami, a name synonymous with searing pace and relentless accuracy, the upcoming Duleep Trophy final marks a monumental occasion: his 100th first-class match. Yet, this celebration of durability and dedication is shadowed by a glaring paradox – a bowler still delivering potent performances on the domestic circuit finds himself adrift from the national team for over a year. It’s a situation that has prompted strong words from former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who believes the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, and the Indian team under Gautam Gambhir, are prematurely closing the door on a proven match-winner.

The Unyielding Spirit of a Red-Ball Warrior

Mohammed Shami’s affinity for the red ball is legendary, a love affair that will culminate in his centurion first-class appearance for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. This significant landmark includes 64 Tests for India, a testament to his long and impactful career at the highest level. His first-class record speaks volumes, boasting an impressive average of 26.30 across 99 games. This consistency is only marginally better than his Test average of 27.71, underscoring his capability to perform against top-tier opposition. Even at 36, Shami’s commitment to the craft remains unwavering, a fact highlighted by Bharat Arun’s observation: ‘He loves bowling. It doesn’t matter whether it is in the nets or in the middle of a game. You give him the red ball, or any ball for that matter, he would mark his run-up and start bowling.’

This deep-seated passion and his continued wicket-taking prowess in domestic cricket beg the question: why is such a seasoned campaigner currently out of national contention?

A National Absence: The Agarkar-Gambhir Conundrum

The stark reality is that Mohammed Shami has not donned the Indian colours in over a year, with his last appearance coming in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Furthermore, his absence from Test cricket stretches even longer, exceeding three years. This prolonged hiatus has led to the perception that the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee and the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team have ‘seemingly moved on’ from the veteran pacer. The primary stated concern behind this decision appears to be recurring injury issues, a common antagonist in the careers of fast bowlers.

The challenge for any selection committee is balancing current form, future potential, and the inevitable reality of player age and fitness. For India, a nation increasingly blessed with a formidable pool of fast-bowling talent, such decisions are complex. However, the dismissal of a player of Shami’s calibre, especially when still performing, has ignited a debate among cricket pundits and fans alike.

Bharat Arun’s Vehement Plea: Age is Just a Number

It is against this backdrop that Bharat Arun, who served as India’s bowling coach during a period of significant pace attack evolution, has launched a spirited defence of Shami. Arun’s stance is unequivocal: ‘They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him.’ His argument rests on a fundamental principle of sports selection: performance should trump age.

‘When someone is performing, age shouldn’t be a factor. See his durability. 100 first-class matches,’ Arun emphasised, reflecting on Shami’s upcoming milestone. He elaborated on the significance of this achievement: ‘It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball.’

Arun’s insights are particularly weighty, given his intimate knowledge of Shami’s capabilities and work ethic from their time together in the national setup. He knows firsthand the unique skill set Shami brings to the table: the ability to seam the ball both ways, hit precise lengths, and extract bounce, even on docile pitches – attributes that remain invaluable, particularly in Test cricket.

The Age-Performance Equation in Fast Bowling

The debate surrounding Shami’s future encapsulates a perennial challenge in cricket: when does the inevitable decline of a fast bowler outweigh their experience and current output? History is replete with examples of pacers who have defied age, extending their careers well into their mid-thirties and beyond, proving that the ‘shelf-life’ of a bowler is not a fixed construct. James Anderson, for instance, continues to excel for England well into his forties, redefining benchmarks for fast-bowling longevity.

While injury concerns are legitimate, especially for a bowler like Shami who relies on explosive power, the argument that performance should be the ultimate arbiter holds significant weight. Indian cricket, in its quest to build a robust pace battery for all formats, must carefully consider the immediate impact versus long-term planning. Overlooking a bowler still ‘among the wickets’ in domestic cricket, as Shami has been, might mean sacrificing proven excellence for potential future gains.

Shami’s ability to consistently generate wickets in challenging domestic conditions, as evidenced by his first-class average, suggests his body is still capable of the rigours of competitive bowling. The question for the selectors then becomes: is the perceived risk of injury greater than the guaranteed quality and experience he brings?

The Enduring Hunger for a National Comeback

Adding another layer to this narrative is the perspective from within the domestic setup. East Zone captain Ishan Kishan, himself part of India’s white-ball plans, offered a revealing insight into Shami’s mindset. Kishan highlighted the mental fortitude required to maintain motivation when out of the national team. ‘When you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games, it is tough but I feel I see that hunger in him,’ Kishan stated on the eve of the Duleep Trophy final.

This endorsement from a current international player underscores that Shami’s desire to represent India again burns bright. ‘I think he has that hunger and that motivation right now like he wants to do that comeback, he wants to be part of the Indian squad again, and which you can see in him,’ Kishan added. Such passion, coupled with demonstrated skill, makes a compelling case for reconsideration.

Furthermore, Shami’s versatility was also on display in the IPL 2026 campaign, where he led Lucknow Super Giants’ all-Indian pace attack. Picking up 12 wickets in 13 games, he showcased his ability to adapt to the demands of T20 cricket, proving that his white-ball skills remain sharp, even if his immediate national team focus appears to be on the longer formats.

A Call for Reconsideration

As Mohammed Shami prepares to etch his name into the annals of Indian first-class cricket with his 100th match, the reminder from Bharat Arun resonates loudly. It’s a call for the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and the Indian team management to look beyond numerical age and perceived injury risks, and instead, focus on demonstrated performance and an unyielding desire to excel.

The history of Indian cricket is rich with tales of veterans who made impactful comebacks. Whether Shami will be afforded that opportunity remains to be seen. But as long as he continues to bowl with the same fire and passion, delivering wickets in crucial domestic encounters, the door, as Arun suggests, should perhaps remain ajar, not closed.

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Disclaimer: Source reporting: NDTV Sports. The Cricket Mantra editorial team has added further analysis, context, and background to this coverage.