This talk is getting louder with each passing day regarding Mohammed Shami staying out of the Indian cricket team. Even though he is bowling well and troubling every batting side in domestic cricket, the 35-year-old pacer has not been picked in Gautam Gambhir’s new India setup. Many fans and former players are now asking why one of India’s best pacers is still not considered. Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy final in March 2025. He finished that tournament as India's joint-highest wicket-taker. But after that, he has not been included in any squad. He has missed the England and Australia tours, and also the home series against the West Indies and South Africa. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier said that Shami was being rested because of "fitness concerns." But Shami's recent domestic workload shows a very different picture. Also Read | BCCI vs Shami: Fitness and Communication Row Erupts Shami's Domestic Numbers Validate His Form and Fitness Shami has led Bengal's attack in the Ranji Trophy and has picked 20 wickets in the season. In white-ball cricket, too, he has been dangerous with the new ball. In the latest Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, he again showed his class: Bengal vs Haryana (8 Dec 2025): 4/30 Bengal vs Puducherry (6 Dec 2025): 3/34 Bengal vs Services, 4 Dec 2025: 4/13 These are the numbers of a fit bowler, one in rhythm and hungry to play for India once more. That's why the "fitness" reason given earlier is being questioned by fans and experts alike. Is Team India Moving Towards a New Pace Group? Many believe that the real reason for Shami's continued exclusion is India's move towards younger fast bowlers. With the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon, the management seems to be investing in young pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. While both have got potential, they have also been inconsistent. This shift has created a big debate. Many feel that while young bowlers are important, leaving out someone with so much skill and experience is risky. The gap was seen recently when India failed to defend 359 runs against South Africa. The attack looked flat in the last overs, and many fans pointed out that Shami’s presence could have made a big difference. Also Read | 'If I Can Play Four-Day Cricket, Why Not 50 Overs?' - Shami Questions India Management Experts Question India's Call to Keep Shami Out Even former cricketers are baffled as to why this decision has been made. Harbhajan Singh openly asked, “Where is Shami?” as India struggled to pick wickets in the South Africa series. On social media too, his domestic numbers are being shared and his return is being demanded. For now, Shami remains committed to bowling whole-hearted for Bengal. The big question, though, is what more he needs to do to get that second chance in Indian cricket team. If the yardstick is performance, then his wicket-taking spells demonstrate he has plenty more to give.