BCCI to Engage in Talks with Mohammed Shami Regarding Future Cricket Commitments

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, currently on a cricket hiatus, is set to have discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding his future in the sport. Shami’s last appearance was at the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker. However, due to a medical issue, he missed the South Africa tour and is expected to sit out the Afghanistan T20I series. Although reports suggested he might also miss the initial two Test matches against England, Shami expressed optimism about his fitness for the series.

Known for his impactful performances in Tests and ODIs, Shami’s role in T20 cricket has been less defined. Despite showcasing his talent in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Gujarat Titans, his international future in the T20 format remains uncertain. Acknowledging the lack of clarity about his T20 role, Shami, who is set to receive the Arjuna award, expressed uncertainty about his prospects in the shortest format.

Shami’s last T20I appearance for India was against England in the T20 World Cup the previous year. Since then, he has not been selected in the T20 squad. In a recent statement to Sports Tak, Shami emphasized the importance of playing T20 matches before the T20 World Cup, expressing his availability for selection based on his performance.

According to reports, the BCCI plans to initiate discussions with Shami about his future plans. The board aims to understand Shami’s preferences and assess the workload he is willing to undertake in the upcoming years. With discussions initially planned during the South Africa tour, the BCCI aims to engage with Shami soon to determine the extent of his cricket commitments beyond the IPL and Test matches.