The Indian team for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand was announced on Saturday, January 3. Captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj make their return to the ODI team. Meanwhile, seasoned pacer Mohammad Shami once again faced disappointment, being left out of the squad for the series starting January 11.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Mohammad Shami still has a strong chance of making a comeback. Shami last played for India during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but hasn't made it back into the team since. Pathan suggests that Shami has the ability and experience required to reclaim his spot on the national team.
Irfan Pathan expressed on his YouTube channel, 'One of the main subjects of discussion is Mohammad Shami. What's in store for his future? He's not just a player who debuted recently and then disappeared after a few matches. He's taken 450-500 international wickets, which is a considerable achievement. After attaining so many wickets, it's normal for fitness questions to arise. Every player must continuously prove themselves while playing cricket.'
Questions About Fitness are Settled: Pathan
Irfan Pathan continued, emphasizing that Shami should pave his way back to the team with outstanding performance in IPL 2026. Pathan remarks, 'Shami has already bowled 200 overs. If questions about fitness arise now, they have already been answered. I believe he should showcase his skills with the new ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL), delivering stellar performances. The IPL is watched globally, making it not difficult for him to be recalled to the team after doing well here. The doors for him should not be shut.'
Mohammad Shami is also performing exceptionally in domestic cricket. This season, he bowled more than 200 overs in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and Vijay Hazare Trophy, taking 47 wickets. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, Shami was Bengal's top wicket-taker, taking 16 wickets in seven innings, with an average of 14.93 and an economy rate of 8.90. Following the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shami will play the remaining matches of the Ranji Trophy and then represent Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
India's Full Squad for the ODI Series Against New Zealand Includes:
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (Wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
