End of the road for Mohammed Shami? Veteran pacer snubbed again for South Africa Tests

NEW DELHI: India’s selectors have announced the Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against South Africa, and while Rishabh Pant’s much-awaited return has grabbed headlines, the continued omission of senior pacer Mohammed Shami has raised fresh questions about his future in red-ball cricket.


Pant, who sustained a foot fracture during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July, has made a full recovery and will return to international cricket after missing the series against the West Indies. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter recently led India A to victory over South Africa A in Bengaluru, scoring 90 in a fourth-innings chase of 275. He replaces N Jagadeesan in the 15-man squad captained by Shubman Gill.



Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The Test series will begin in Kolkata on November 14, followed by the second match in Guwahati from November 22.

While Pant’s return strengthens India’s batting and keeping department, the absence of Mohammed Shami from both the senior and India A squads stands out. The 34-year-old has now been ignored for three consecutive Test assignments — against England, West Indies, and now South Africa — despite being fit and in form.

End of the road for Shami?

Shami last played a Test in the World Test Championship final against Australia in 2023, and although he featured in the Champions Trophy 2025, his performance in the IPL earlier this year was underwhelming. That, coupled with the selectors’ focus on younger pacers, appears to have pushed him further down the pecking order.

What makes the decision more surprising is Shami’s recent domestic form. The veteran fast bowler has taken 15 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches, including a five-wicket haul against Gujarat, proving that he remains a potent force in red-ball cricket. Yet, his name was missing not just from the senior Test squad but also from the India A side that will face South Africa A in Bengaluru.

With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack, and Bengal quick Akash Deep earning a recall after recovering from a shoulder injury, Shami’s omission hints at a possible transition phase in India’s Test setup.

For now, Shami remains on the sidelines, and the question looms large — is India moving on from one of its most successful modern-day pacers, or is this just a temporary snub?

India's Test squad:
Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, and Akash Deep.






Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here