Mohammed Shami Back in Rhythm: India Duty on the Horizon

By Harshit - Oct 29, 2025 04:54 PM
Last updated on Oct 29, 2025 04:54 PM

Following a commanding performance in the domestic circuit, veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami appears to have rediscovered the rhythm that once made him India’s strike spear. After posting a career-highlighting haul in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, his childhood coach in Moradabad declared the “Shami of old” is more or less back, signalling a bold case for his return to international duty.

The past few seasons have been peppered with fitness concerns, inconsistent game time and fluctuating form. But now, with long spells under his belt and wickets tumbling once again, Shami might be poised not just for a comeback but for a revival. For a bowler whose career has spanned more than a decade, rhythm isn’t just a comfort—it’s a weapon.

Consider this: Shami’s recent outing in red-ball domestic cricket saw him lead his state side’s bowling with authority, resetting the parameters on which his value has always been judged. The question now shifts from “Can he return?” to “Can he dominate again?” And with the national side in transition, the timing could be perfect.

Resurgence on display - the domestic statements

In his recent outing for Bengal, Shami claimed an eight-wicket match haul, including a five-for in the second innings that decimated Gujarat and sealed a 141-run victory. His spell was marked not only by the numbers but by classic cues: sharp seam, purposeful rhythm and visible enjoyment. He completed 28.3 overs in the match, throwing a clear signal about his readiness for long spells once again.

Earlier in the same season he had already announced his arrival—taking a seven-wicket match haul in Bengal’s win over Uttarakhand, showing stamina and consistency. Across just two matches in the Ranji season, he took 15 wickets, proving that workload and effectiveness were aligning again. This kind of volume hasn’t been seen from him for some time.

Fitness, workload and match-sharpness

Shami’s comeback isn’t just about wicket-taking—it’s about endurance. Having been sidelined by surgery and fitness hesitation, bowling meaningful overs has been the missing piece. In the recent matches he has bowled long spells and shown that he is physically capable of delivering. That matters especially when the national squad demands dependable pacers who can bowl long spells in pressure situations.

Furthermore, the coach emphasised that Shami has regained rhythm because he's match-fit and enjoying his craft again. The sense that the ball is moving, the seam is upright and each delivery carries intent is crucial. For a bowler known for reverse swing, those details matter as much as pace.

Technical clarity and vintage skills

Grateful for the rhythm and hard work paying off. 🙏
Always proud to represent my team. 💪 #RanjiTrophy #Shami #Bengal pic.twitter.com/0oXh29uFfh

— 𝕸𝖔𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖒𝖆𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖒𝖎 (@MdShami11) October 28, 2025

One of the most remarkable aspects of Shami’s recent performance is how his technical arsenal appears intact. He angled the ball in from around the wicket, moved it away from left-handers, generated reverse swing and peppered batsmen with bouncers—all hallmarks of his peak years. For batsmen, it wasn’t always clear where the ball would go—the ideal indication of a bowler back in rhythm.

His childhood coach noted that the seam was playing so well that batsmen “did not know where the ball would move.” That variability, delivered with control and purpose, re-establishes Shami’s reputation as more than just a veteran body—he is still a full lethal package.

Selectors, communication and revival narrative

Despite these performances, Shami has found his national recall delayed, primarily due to fitness concerns and workload management flagged by the selectors. He himself has publicly questioned the communication gap, pointing out that if he is deemed fit to bowl long spells in domestic first-class cricket, then he should be considered for white-ball and Test duties as well.

The revival narrative now pivots on opportunity: his recent results have made the discussion harder to ignore. For selectors and management, the decision is shifting from “if” to “when.” And the momentum he is building puts him on the front foot.

Impact on Team India and pace attack dynamics

The Indian pace arsenal is at a crossroads. Injuries, workload rotations and evolving formats demand bowlers who combine experience with freshness. Shami offers precisely that. A rhythm-charged veteran adds depth, leadership in the bowling unit and a calculated threat in crucial matches. If he sustains this form, the impact will ripple through match plans, opposition strategies and team balance.

Beyond just himself, his resurgence matters for younger bowlers who look up to senior anchors. It signals that fitness setbacks and form dips can be reversed. For the team, it means one less void to worry about and one more option in high-stakes contexts.

Challenges ahead and the road to international cricket

Of course, the transition from domestic dominance to international success is never automatic. The standards are higher: faster pitches, smarter batsmen, more pressure. Shami needs to translate the recent red-ball wizardry into white-ball and Test formats when called upon. And given his age and injury history, managing the body will be pivotal.

However, his recent performances provide a solid foundation. If he remains injury-free, maintains his workload, and keeps producing wickets, the selectors will find it hard to leave him out. The proverbial door has been opened—it’s just a matter of whether Shami chooses to walk through it with the same authority he showed recently.

Conclusion: Back at the right time

Mohammed Shami’s resurgence is not just a personal triumph—it arrives at a moment when Team India needs it most. With crucial tours and tournaments on the horizon, bringing a fit, rhythm-driving pace bowler into the frame is vital. He is not just back—he may be ready to dominate again.

For fans and critics, the message is becoming clearer: Shami is not finished, he is recalibrated. The upcoming months may well define whether this is merely a comeback or the start of a renewed chapter of greatness. Either way, the stage is set—and the bowler is poised to deliver.

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