A Straightforward Take to T20I Futures by Mohammed Shami
India's seasoned bowler, Mohammed Shami, continues to be one of the team's best players in all forms of cricket. Shami has proven to be a match-winning player for the squad in both Tests and ODIs. Despite his outstanding performances in the IPL for Gujarat Titans, there is uncertainty surrounding his future as an international T20 player. When questioned about his T20 future, Shami, who is set to receive the Arjuna award, admitted he is not entirely sure about his plans.
During the T20 World Cup last year, Shami played his final T20 match for India against England. Since then, the selectors haven't included the seasoned pacer in the T20 format. Players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, making their T20 international comeback against Afghanistan in a three-match series, were selected, but Shami was left off the squad.
Mohammed Shami received the Arjuna Award from Indian President Droupadi Murmu on January 9, 2024. The Board of Control for Cricket in India proposed Shami's name following his incredible performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Nevertheless, Shami is determined to perform well in the IPL and convince selectors that he still possesses the necessary skills to lead the national squad in T20 matches.
"When the T20s are discussed, I'm not sure where I fit into the bigger picture. However, I think the IPL occurs before the T20 World Cup. Playing T20 matches before the World Cup can help you demonstrate your performance and rhythm, albeit I'm not sure what will happen. I'm up for selection if the team management likes what it sees," he said to Sports Tak.
Similar to Rohit and Kohli, Shami isn't very high in the T20 international pecking order. However, he and several other Indian players will have an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and earn a spot in the squad for the T20 World Cup during the IPL 2024 season.
