The exclusion of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami from India’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand has triggered a firestorm in the Indian cricketing fraternity. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the BCCI announced a 15-man squad led by Shubman Gill, but Shami’s absence, despite his prolific domestic form, has left his supporters fuming.
Speaking to India Today following the announcement, Shami’s personal coach, Mohammed Badruddin, did not hold back in his criticism of Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar.
“What more can a player do? How many more wickets should the player take?” Badruddin questioned. “This means that they don’t want him in the ODI team. He has a lot to give, but it’s clear they are just ignoring him.”
The Stats: A “Purple Patch” Ignored
Shami has been the standout performer in the 2025–26 domestic season, proving both his fitness and his rhythm after a 10-month hiatus from the national side.
| Tournament | Matches | Wickets | Average / Best |
| Ranji Trophy | 4 | 20 | 18.60 avg |
| Syed Mushtaq Ali (T20) | 7 | 16 | 14.93 avg |
| Vijay Hazare (ODI) | 5 | 11 | 3/55 vs Assam |
| Total Season Haul | 16 | 47 | — |
Despite these numbers, the selectors have preferred a younger core, reportedly keeping an eye on the 2027 ICC World Cup cycle.
Bengal Coach Calls Snub “Shameful”
Bengal head coach and former India player Laxmi Ratan Shukla joined the chorus of dissent, describing the decision as a lack of respect for domestic toil.
- The “Injustice”: Shukla told RevSportz that Shami’s commitment to playing for Bengal after injury layoffs was exemplary. “No international player has played domestic cricket with as much dedication as Shami in the recent past. What the selection committee has done is shameful.”
- The Message: Shukla argued that ignoring a world-class pacer who is taking wickets at will sends a demoralizing message to other domestic players.
India’s ODI Squad for New Zealand Series
The series is set to begin on January 11, 2026, in Vadodara. With Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya (bowling workload) rested, the pace duties will be shared by a relatively inexperienced group.
- Squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Shreyas Iyer (VC)*, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal1.
- *Subject to fitness clearance.
What’s Next for Shami?
While the ODI door seems temporarily shut, Shami remains in the fray for the T20 World Cup in February 2026. However, Badruddin fears the “perception of age” is working against the 35-year-old. Shami will continue to represent Bengal in the knockouts of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, hoping his performance becomes too loud to ignore.