Mohammed Shami’s Test Absence Raises Concerns Over Fitness and Red-Ball Readiness

India’s seasoned pacer Mohammed Shami continues to be sidelined from the Test arena, with his last appearance in the format dating back to the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023. Despite his reputation as one of the finest seamers in world cricket, his recurring injury issues and lack of recent red-ball cricket have cast doubts over his return to the longest format.

Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta weighed in on the issue, attributing Shami’s exclusion from the upcoming Test series against England to ongoing fitness concerns. Speaking to CricXtasy, Dasgupta said, “Definitely, yes. I think Shami is a quality bowler, but unfortunately, post his injury, he hasn’t played much red ball cricket. His fitness is still a question mark. The last thing you want is as good as he is, is somebody to break down in the middle of a Test match.”

Shami was sidelined for over a year following an ankle injury sustained after the 2023 ODI World Cup. Though he made a promising return in November 2024 during a Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh, where he claimed match figures of 7/156, his comeback was interrupted again. After undergoing heel surgery, Shami developed knee swelling and suffered a side strain during rehabilitation, ruling him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

The Bengal pacer did briefly return to the Indian team earlier this year in January during a T20I against England and later played a role in India’s victorious 2025 ICC Champions Trophy campaign, collecting nine wickets in five matches. However, his inconsistent performances and physical setbacks have raised concerns among selectors.

“So you’ve got to be really really careful, you can’t have too many of the same kind, as good as he is. If Shami is 85 percent fit, even if he is not 100 percent fit, definitely yes. But unfortunately, I don’t think he is, and that is what I have heard,” Dasgupta added.

Shami also featured for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, but it was a disappointing season by his standards — six wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 11.23. 

While Shami’s talent remains unquestionable, his Test future now hinges on his ability to regain peak fitness and prove himself in red-ball cricket, a challenge he must overcome to reestablish his place in the Indian Test setup.