Sourav Ganguly Calls For Mohammed Shami Comeback After Strong IPL Form

Former India Captain Sourav Ganguly has made a strong case for Mohammed Shami’s return to the national team, urging selectors to reinstate the experienced pacer alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Ganguly stressed that a bowler of Shami’s quality and experience should be an integral part of India’s pace attack, especially given his recent performances across formats. His remarks come at a time when Shami continues to remain out of favour with the national selection panel.

Shami has been in impressive rhythm in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2026, delivering impactful spells that have reminded fans and experts of his match-winning abilities. His standout performance of 2/9 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, followed by a disciplined 1/28 against Delhi Capitals, has underlined his control, accuracy, and ability to deliver under pressure. Ganguly particularly highlighted his spell against Hyderabad, where he troubled top batters with pace and precision.

“He should be bowling at the other end of Bumrah, nowhere else. That’s how good he is,” Ganguly said, making his stance clear on Shami’s importance to India’s bowling lineup. He emphasized that Shami’s ability to maintain an upright seam position and generate movement makes him a constant threat, especially with the new ball. According to Ganguly, such skills are invaluable in both limited-overs and longer formats of the game.

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Apart from his IPL performances, Shami has also impressed in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy. Representing Bengal, he finished among the leading wicket-takers with 37 wickets at an excellent average, including a remarkable eight-wicket haul in the semifinals. Ganguly noted that such consistent performances in red-ball cricket further strengthen Shami’s case for a comeback, especially as India looks to maintain depth in its pace attack.

Despite his strong form and fitness, Shami continues to be overlooked by the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. Ganguly, however, expressed optimism that the pacer’s time will come again, pointing out that sustained match practice often brings bowlers into peak condition. He concluded by saying that watching Shami run in with the new ball is always a "treat", reiterating his belief that the experienced fast bowler still has a significant role to play in India’s future campaigns.

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