'Would Love To See Him vs Australia': Ex-India Selector Backs Mohammed Shami

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian team has reignited discussions over the continued exclusion of pacer Mohammed Shami. Bhuvneshwar, who last represented India in 2022, earned a well-deserved recall for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The experienced right-arm seamer delivered several match-winning performances for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played a key role in their back-to-back IPL title triumphs. However, Shami has not enjoyed similar fortune, having remained out of favour since 2025.

Speaking about Bhuvneshwar's comeback, former India chief selector MSK Prasad hailed the decision as a brilliant one. Coincidentally, the pacer was named in the Indian squad shortly after former chief selector Ajit Agarkar stepped down from his role.

"I don't know about the timing, but I think it's a wonderful inclusion. Because someone who's got 72 wickets in the last three-four editions of IPL thoroughly deserves to be there," Prasad told IndiaToday.

"I don't know Bhuvi in an ODI format, but he will stick to the T20 format. For the class that he has, he can still play," he added.

Prasad also addressed Shami's omission and backed the veteran fast bowler for a return to the national side. He urged the selectors to consider Shami for a place in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, citing his impressive record in previous editions of the tournament.

"Someone like Shami, who was your top performer in 2015, 2019, 2023, and still he's doing well, I would love to see him in the New Zealand series. I would love to see him even in an Indian series against Australia," he said.

Apart from Prasad, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun also voiced his support for Shami. Arun stated that the veteran pacer has already done enough for Indian cricket and does not need to prove himself again.

"Well, to answer what Shami should be doing, I don't think Shami needs to prove himself. You either pick him on form or you don't. That's, that's going to be the case of Mohammed Shami. Shami does not need to prove what he can do to be picked into the Indian team. He's proved enough across all formats," said Arun during a virtual media interaction by Sony Sports Network.

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