Mohammed Shami has issued a warning to selectors ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 squad announcement.
Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has missed out on selection for the Test squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. However, Mohammed Shami sent a strong message to the selectors, showing his willingness to perform for Team India at the highest level.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is scheduled to announce India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the upcoming ODI series in England by January 12, the last date for submitting provisional squads. The selectors are likely to field the same squad, the only exception being Jasprit Bumrah.
Everything is ready to conquer the world – Mohammed Shami
Ahead of the squad announcement, Mohammed Shami sent a strong message to the selectors. He posted a video of his training ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-final on January 7. In the video, he is seen bowling and clearing the mid-section, which impressed the Indian cricket fans.
The 34-year-old is a key player in India’s success in the Champions Trophy. He shared a video with the title “Precision, pace and passion, everything is ready to conquer the world!” It came a day after former India coach Ravi Shastri questioned the team management about Shami’s exclusion from BGT.
Precision, pace and passion, all ready to conquer the world! 🌍💪 #Shami #Indian team pic.twitter.com/gIEfJidChX
— 𝖆𝖆𝖆𝖆𝖓𝖆𝖓𝖆 (@MdShami11) January 7, 2025
Mohammed Shami last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup final
Shami last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he was the leading wicket-taker. His last Test match was the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June.
Shami returned to competitive cricket with Bengal in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy and later played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy 2024. He will next play Haryana in the quarter-final of the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 9 January.
Inclusion of bowlers in the Champions Trophy squad is essential for team management. The selectors are expected to assess him in the upcoming ODI series against England before making a final decision. ICC rules allow teams to make changes to their provisional squads until February 13.
Mohammed Shami’s role becomes crucial as concerns over Bumrah’s fitness grow ahead of the Champions Trophy
Concerns are growing over Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy following the injury he sustained on the second day of the Sydney Test against Australia. The fast bowler, who was suffering from back spasms, was immediately taken for a shoot and did not return to the field.
Three days after the end of the match, which saw Australia reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, BCCI’s medical team is yet to release an official update on the severity of Bumrah’s injury.
A PTI report suggests that Bumrah is likely to miss the upcoming ODI series against England. However, if his condition worsens, his participation in the Champions Trophy could be in serious jeopardy, leaving him in a race against time to regain fitness.
Also read: ‘Sarfaraz Khan left behind’: Sanjay Manjrekar slams Gambhir, Rohit for ill-treatment of batsman
