Irfan Pathan questions Mohammed Shami’s snub from IND-NZ ODIs:Ex-cricketer urges Bengal pacer to prove himself with IPL performance| WATCH

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has questioned Mohammed Shami’s non-selection in India’s ODI squad for the series against New Zealand. The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) had announced India’s squad for the three ODIs against New Zealand on 3 January. Among others, one takeaway from India’s squad was the absence of Shami. The pacer continues to be overlooked by selectors despite putting up strong performances in domestic cricket. His last appearance for India was in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, a tournament where he was the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker. Irfan Pathan questions Mohammed Shami’s snub While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Pathan said, “What is his (Mohammed Shami’s) future?…He has taken 450-500 international wickets, which is a huge number. If you have taken more than 400 wickets and then you get dropped and questions are raised about your fitness, that happens with everyone. As long as you play cricket, you have to keep proving yourself.” “But Shami has already bowled 200 overs. After bowling 200 overs, if fitness is the question, then fitness has already been shown. What more improvement is needed, only the selection committee knows what they are thinking,” he added. Also read: Gill, Iyer return as India announce squad for NZ ODIs: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma retain spots after Vijay Hazare heroics, Rishabh Pant picked Irfan Pathan urges Mohammed Shami to make statement with IPL performance The former India all-rounder said that he feels that the door is not closed on Shami as yet. He also urged the Bengal pacer to make a statement in the IPL. “If I were him, I would go and play the IPL and create havoc. I would take the new ball and perform at such a level. Domestic cricket performances are discussed, but when the IPL comes and you show your old rhythm and fitness, then no one can ignore you. The whole world watches the IPL. If you perform there, you make your place in the squad again. I believe his doors should not be closed.” Mohammed Shami had returned against England after ankle surgery
Shami underwent ankle surgery last year. After that, he started experiencing pain in his right knee. For this reason, he was also not selected for India’s tour of Australia. He made his comeback after the surgery in India’s home T20I series against England last year. Mohammed Shami’s good form in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 Shami has been in very good form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The 35-year-old has so far played five matches, where he has picked up 11 wickets with an economy rate of just 5.65. The pacer was also impressive at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, scalping 16 wickets in seven matches with his best figures being 4/13. Also read: Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer return; end of Mohammed Shami’s career?: 5 talking points from India’s ODI squad for series against New Zealand New Zealand’s tour of India starts on 11 January New Zealand’s tour of India starts on 11 January with a three-match ODI series. After the three ODIs, the two teams will play five T20I matches, which will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. India’s ODI squad: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer (vc), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal India’s squad for T20I series against New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel (VC), Rinku Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Washington Sundar, Ishan Kishan (wk)