New Delhi, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee announced the Indian squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, which includes five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Test matches. Veteran fast bowler Mohammad Shami has once again been overlooked for selection.

Following Ajit Agarkar’s departure as chief selector, Pragyan Ojha has taken on the role temporarily. Ojha approved his first team for the New Zealand T20 series, which notably featured Bhuvneshwar Kumar, making a comeback to the national side after four years.

At 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was included in the squad to replace the injured Arshdeep Singh for the fifth T20 match, and he is likely to be part of the playing eleven. His return sparked hopes for Shami’s re-entry into the team, especially since Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final on March 9, 2025. During this period, he has consistently performed well in domestic cricket, showcasing his form and fitness, and he is currently playing in the Ranji Trophy.

Despite his strong performances, Shami has been repeatedly ignored by the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar. The same fate befell Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also remained out of the team despite being fit and in form.

With Agarkar’s tenure ending, Ojha’s first selection included Bhuvneshwar, raising expectations for Shami’s inclusion in the New Zealand ODI series, especially in light of Jasprit Bumrah’s absence. However, the announcement on Friday revealed that Shami’s name was again missing from the squad. He has not played a Test match since June 2023.

Shami’s continued exclusion suggests that selectors may have moved on from him and do not view him as a contender for the next ODI World Cup. Injured Prasidh Krishna remains in the team, along with younger bowlers Anshul Kambhoj, Yash Thakur, and Aaqib Nabi, none of whom have shown performances that warrant prioritizing them over Shami. These players will need time to gain experience.

With the 2027 World Cup just a year away, the strategy behind selecting bowlers in the ODI format is disappointing and weak. While the lineup includes bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Bumrah, none can fill the void left by Shami.

His capabilities, proven during the 2023 World Cup, highlight his effectiveness, particularly in South African conditions. With 206 wickets in 108 ODIs and 24 wickets in seven matches during the 2023 World Cup, overlooking Shami remains perplexing.