Sourav Ganguly backs Mohammed Shami’s India return after impressive SMAT show

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has backed Mohammed Shami to make a return to the Indian team after a splendid show in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Shami scalped 16 wickets in seven matches of the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy at an average of 14.94 while playing for Bengal.

Though, the veteran pacer conceded his runs at an economy rate of 8.90. Shami returned with impressive figures of 4-30 against Haryana but his efforts went in vain as Bengal suffered a 24-run loss.

Furthermore, Shami has scalped 20 wickets in four Ranji Trophy matches at an average of 18.60. 

“I’m sure the selectors are watching. I’m sure there is communication between Mohammed Shami and selectors; I don’t know. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skills, it’s the Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches and one-day and T20 cricket for India because the skill is enormous,” Ganguly said during an event.

Back in October, chief selector Ajit Agarkar revealed that Shami is not fit for selection for the national team.

“If he were fit, he would have been on that plane to England. The domestic season has just started, and we will see if he is fit enough. We were desperate to have him for the Australia tour, but he wasn’t fit. If he is fit over the next two months, the story might change,” Agarkar had said at the NDTV World Summit 2025 in October.

Shami has been consistently delivering the goods in the domestic circuit and he would look to continue the good show. 

Bengal was knocked out of the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy after they could only manage four wins in seven games in Group C.