Published on: Aug 11, 2026 5:46 pm IST|Updated on: Aug 11, 2026 5:47 pm IST
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami remains determined to feature for Team India in the all-important ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, set to be hosted jointly in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Despite last playing for Team India back in the Champions Trophy 2025, Shami remains hopeful of wearing the Indian jersey once again during the World Cup in 2027.
While the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee continues to invest in emerging options like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar, former cricketers and experts believe Shami’s unmatched skill set and track record, particularly in ODI World Cups, cannot be ruled out just yet.
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Shami’s childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, recently revealed that the veteran bowler is highly motivated and in great physical condition as he prepares for the upcoming domestic season. During the last domestic cycle, Shami picked up 37 wickets in seven Ranji Trophy matches and followed it up with 15 wickets in seven Vijay Hazare Trophy games, proving that his bowling rhythm remains intact.
Highlighting the need for experience on bouncy, pace-friendly South African pitches during the 2027 World Cup, Badruddin remarked:
“If you are playing, it means you are available. I look at it that way. What the team is thinking is a different thing, but what you are thinking matters just as much. Because you have to play, you have to contribute, so it is your decision. You cannot over-analyze what is going on in the team management’s planning. As a player, you should do what is in your hands, and Shami is doing just that—he is playing matches.”
Badruddin also raised his voice regarding the fitness regime of modern-day pacers, emphasizing that stamina and endurance to bowl longer spells are more crucial than hitting the gym and doing heavy gym sessions.
“Fast bowlers need running, sprinting, and building stamina on the field. The gym can shape your body, but it won’t build bowling stamina.”
Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan has voiced his opinion to include Mohammed Shami in the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Addressing the uncertainty around Shami’s selection status, Zaheer gave a share of advice to the 36-year-old right-arm pacer to keep playing domestic games and let his performance do the talking. Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of fast-bowling injuries and workload management, Zaheer stated:
“Injuries are part and parcel of the game and every player’s journey. There are discussions around workload management, but understanding the timing of events is equally important. When a fast bowler goes through an injury phase or a lean patch, controlling what is in your hands becomes vital. Until you understand the root cause, you cannot move forward in the right direction.”
India’s current pace bowling unit is prone to injuries. The trio of Prince Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Harshit Rana are currently nursing different injuries but remain at the forefront of the World Cup selections. Whether the team management opts for youthful exuberance or veteran expertise, Shami’s performance in upcoming domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy will be instrumental in deciding if he gets his dream World Cup final chapter.