"All Selectors Are On Same Page": Ex-India Star Drops Massive Bomb On Possible Mohammed Shami Comeback

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian team is the most notable decision made by the BCCI selection committee in the post-Ajit Agarkar era. His call-up at the age of 36 has led to a certain section of fans debating whether the BCCI are once again looking at veteran pacers like Bhuvneshwar and Mohammed Shami, despite the transitional approach in the Indian pace attack. However, former India cricketer and reputed commentator Aakash Chopra stated that Shami's comeback is a much more distant possibility.

While Chopra didn't rule out a Shami comeback, he revealed that Ajit Agarkar wasn't the only one blocking the veteran pacer's path back to the Indian team. In fact, almost all the selectors were not in favour of the 36-year-old returning.

"If Bhuvi has come, will Shami also come? I think we will be fooling ourselves if we feel that one guy was stopping everyone, and that only he was resisting and everyone else wanted to pick them," Chopra said, speaking on his YouTube channel.

"It is not possible because it is a five-member selection committee. I can actually vouch that I have spoken to the selectors, and all of them are on the same page. So, it's not like the chairman randomly said it and everyone was agreeing," he added, speaking on Shami's chances of returning to the Indian team.

Chopra further touched on the topic of a potential Shami comeback in ODIs, stating that the New Zealand series could possibly be a last chance for him to do so.

"There are discussions that Shami's name might come in the ODI team. I am not saying that it cannot come, but will it come just because Ajit Agarkar has left? That I don't agree," Chopra stated.

"The big thing is that this is his last opportunity if you are looking at the 2027 World Cup, because if not now, then when after this?"

"So will Mohammad Shami actually be back? I don't have any inside information. This is not outside the realm of possibilities, but whether it will happen we really don't know," he concluded.

India face headaches over their pace attack heading into the New Zealand series, with concerns over Jasprit Bumrah's workload and injuries plaguing Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Hardik Pandya. With five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests to play, the fixture crunch could see India heading to New Zealand with multiple fast bowlers.

Shami does not feature in the T20I squad, but whether he will do so in the ODI one remains an intriguing talking point. India's ODI squad for the tour is likely to be announced mid-October.

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