Team India’s former all-rounder Irfan Pathan voiced his disappointment with selectors after Mohammed Shami was excluded from India’s squad for the forthcoming New Zealand ODI series.

As the 3-match ODI series at home starts on January 11 (Sunday), an experienced Indian fast bowler once again faces omission despite taking 400+ international wickets.

Irfan’s analysis clarifies Shami’s chance to regain his spot in the ODI squad after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.

Uncertainty About Mohammed Shami’s Future

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan Pathan questioned the selectors’ logicless preference to prioritize other bowlers over Mohammed Shami, who bagged 400 to 450 wickets or more in international cricket:

“See! The highly debated discussion is about Mohammed Shami. Questions are prevailing about his future in international cricket.  He is not a new player who made his debut just yesterday or played only a few matches and was sidelined.

Just look at his numbers. Having taken 450 to 500 wickets to his name, it is a great achievement. Even after taking more than 400 scalps, he was dropped from the squad. Then, questions arise about fitness, which typically happens with every cricketer. Mainly, you need to prove yourself and establish your worth as a reliable player as long as you play cricket,” the 41-year-old said.

Can Shami Make a Comeback After IPL 2026? Irfan Pathan’s Opinion

Having bowled more than 200 overs in recent domestic tournaments, Irfan Pathan believes that Shami needs to give his complete effort in IPL 2026 to make a strong comeback in India’s squad:

“Certainly! Mohammed Shami bowled more than 200 overs, and if fitness was the main concern, then his fitness was already proven. Then I don’t understand what additional improvement is required for him to grab the selectors’ attention.

Only the selection committee will know exactly what they are planning. If I were in his place, I would prefer participating in IPL and creating an impactful performance. At such a level, I prefer taking the new ball and delivering my best performance.

Although the performances in domestic cricket are considered, IPL is the perfect platform to exhibit your fitness levels and momentum. In such cases, there would be no chance to ignore you.

It is a fact that IPL is watched globally. So, I suggest that you give your best there so that you can find your place in India’s squad again. A talented bowler like him should not find his doors closed,” Pathan added.

100% Efforts in Domestic Cricket! No Place in India’s Squad

Mohammed Shami made his last international appearance in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, where India clinched the prestigious trophy under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy with a 4-wicket win against New Zealand.

Since then, the 35-year-old hasn’t been able to secure his spot on the national team. However, Shami tried his level best, performing in domestic cricket.

As per the latest reports, the Indian veteran speedster represented Bengal and bowled 200+ overs and grabbed 47 wickets across three formats of domestic cricket in the previous year, which includes:

• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025:
  • Matches Played: 07
  • Wickets Taken: 16
  • Overs Bowled: 26.5
  • Balls Bowled: 161
  • Average: 14.94
  • 4-Fers: 2
  • 5-Fers: 0
  • Best Bowling Figures: 4/13 in 3.2 overs vs Services.

• Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 (ongoing tournament):
  • Matches Played: 05
  • Wickets Taken: 11
  • Overs Bowled: 43.2
  • Balls Bowled: 260
  • Average: 22.27
  • 4-Fers: 0
  • 5-Fers: 0
  • Best Bowling Figures: 3/55 in 9 overs vs Assam

• Ranji Trophy Elite 2025-26:
  • Matches Played: 04
  • Innings: 07
  • Wickets Taken: 20
  • Overs Bowled: 145.2
  • Balls Bowled: 872
  • Average: 18.60
  • 4-Fers: 1
  • 5-Fers: 1
  • Best Bowling Figures: 5/38 in 10 overs vs Gujarat.

Fast Bowlers Selected for New Zealand ODI Series 2026

While Mohammed Shami was once again snubbed from the selection, these four young pacers, despite less experience, managed to secure a spot in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming New Zealand series in January 2026:

• MOHAMMED SIRAJ: Right-Arm Fast Bowler (73 wickets in 47 ODIs). 
• ARSHDEEP SINGH: Left-Arm Medium Pacer (22 wickets in 14 ODIs). 
• HARSHIT RANA: Right-Arm Medium Pacer (20 wickets in 11 ODIs).
• PRASIDH KRISHNA: Right-Arm Pacer (37 wickets in 21 ODIs).

India’s 15-Member Squad for New Zealand ODI Series 2026

• Batters (5): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer.
  
• All-Rounders (3): Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar.
  
• Wicketkeeper-Batters (2): KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
  
• Bowlers (5): Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh

Overall Verdict

Notably, Mohammed Shami was the highest wicket-taker for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, having taken 16 wickets to his name at an economy of 8.90.

After being released by his former franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the right-arm pacer is set to play for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), the franchise that acquired him for INR 10 crore during the mini-auction.

Once the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 concludes on January 18, 2026 (Sunday), Shami will represent Bengal in the remaining fixtures of the Ranji Trophy ahead of the IPL 2026.