Former Indian captain and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly has reckoned that the veteran pacer Mohammed Shami hasn’t been neglected by the selection committee.
Notably, Ganguly’s comments came after East Zone bagged the Duleep Trophy 2026 title over South Zone in Chennai. Notably, Shami has been away from the Indian team since the Champions Trophy 2025 victory in Dubai.
Speaking to India Today, Ganguly cited his example of being away from the Indian team for more than a year despite scoring more than 10,000 international runs. However, he asserted that he made a comeback after a year. Further, Ganguly isn’t sure if Shami could make it to the WC 2027 squad.
“He is doing well day in and day out in domestic cricket. I too have not played for a year in national team after scoring 10,000 runs, but did a comeback. He is trying to do well don’t know why he has not been picked. But he is doing well and is performing well,” Ganguly told India Today.
“It’s tough to comment on whether he will play in the 2027 World Cup or not because the World Cup is one year later. He has not been neglected. He played a lot,” he added.
Further, Ganguly showered praise on the East Zone captain Ishan Kishan, who scored a double century and an 80-run knock in the grand finale against South Zone as he was adjudged the player of the match.
“I spoke to Kishan this afternoon. It’s terrific and remarkable. Every young player wants to play Test cricket, and hopefully he will. He played exceptionally well in all the finals of the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali, and Duleep Trophy,” he concluded.
