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Mohammed Shami has been left out of India’s ODI and Test squads for the New Zealand tour, the BCCI announced on 17 October 2026, extending a gap in international cricket that dates back to March 2025.
His record this season
Asianet Newsable listed Shami’s recent domestic numbers:
- Duleep Trophy 2026: 7 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 26.57
- Ranji Trophy 2025-26: 37 wickets in 7 matches at 16.72
- Ranji Trophy 2026-27: 4 for 30 and 1 for 29 in the opening round
The IPL form
Shami took 6 wickets in 9 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2025 and 12 wickets in 13 matches for Lucknow Super Giants in 2026, Asianet Newsable reported.
Last time in India colours
The pacer, who is 36, last played for India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand in March 2025. The Tribune put it plainly: he was “overlooked again”.
Who was picked instead
His Bengal teammate Akash Deep returned to the Test squad after nearly eight months out with a back injury, and Anshul Kamboj was recalled for both formats. Another 36-year-old seamer, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, was brought back into the T20I squad for the five matches that begin on 22 October.
The selectors did not give a reason for leaving Shami out, and none was quoted in the reports reviewed for this article.
Figures are as reported by Asianet Newsable and The Tribune.
Image: Mohammed Shami at an India training session in Sydney (file photo). Photo by NAPARAZZI, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.