Mohammad Shami delivered a sensational spell within the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy semifinal between Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir in Kalyani on Tuesday, February 17. The experienced pacer produced career-best figures of 8/90 in 22.1 overs, powering Bengal to a 26-run first-innings lead within the crucial knockout clash.
Shami has been among the many standout performers within the tournament this season, claiming 36 wickets in seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls. He also impressed within the Vijay Hazare Trophy, picking up 15 wickets in seven games at an economy rate of 6.09.
Within the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he added 16 wickets from seven outings at an economy of 8.90, registering two four-wicket hauls. Despite his consistent performances across domestic competitions, Shami has continued to be ignored by national selectors in all formats.
Fans on X praised the veteran pacer and urged selectors to pay attention to his strong domestic showings, with one user writing:
If Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suryakumar Yadav can play after the age of 35, Why not Mohammed Shami can Play. pic.twitter.com/4L71kGzBKL
— Shah (@Shahhoon1) February 17, 2026
Selectors should keep an in depth eye on these three players ahead of the Afghanistan Test:
1. Devdutt Padikkal
2. Mohammed Shami
3. Auqib NabiAll three have really stood out up to now. 👌
— Bhawana (@cricbhawana) February 17, 2026
Mohammed Shami too good with Red Ball against domestic players
8/90 vs J and K within the Ranji Trophy Semifinal helped Bengal take first innings lead.
Picture ©️ BCCI #RanjiTrophy pic.twitter.com/V1VoWL7z46
— The Cricket Express (@TheYorkerBall) February 17, 2026
Mohammed Shami just dropped an 8-fer in a semi. If that’s “not fit,” then what’s? 😭Ball talking louder than press conferences. Comeback loading…
— Dhruv Aaya (@dhruvaaya1) February 17, 2026
MOHAMMED SHAMI INDIA TEAM NOT SELECT 🥲💔
– 36 wickets in Ranji Trophy.
– 16 wickets in Syed Mushtaq Ali.
– 15 wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy.67 WICKETS FOR MOHAMMED SHAMI IN THIS DOMESTIC SEASON – Still no Selection in Team India Squad..!! 💔 pic.twitter.com/OkdRGiP6sp
— Cricket X Lalit (@LGTweets07) February 17, 2026
Shami deserves to play in next world cup obviously🔥
— Kuchh Bhi Random (@KuchhBhiRandom) February 17, 2026
Ajiit Agarkar waiting for Shami to take all of the 10 wickets in an innings to prove his fitness ..😅
— ALL IN (@ALLINBET9) February 17, 2026
Mohammad Shami Dropped From BCCI Central Contract For 2025–26
Mohammad Shami was recently excluded from the Board of Control for Cricket in India central contracts list for the 2025–26 season. The 35-year-old last played for India within the 2025 Champions Trophy, while his most up-to-date Test appearance got here against Australia within the ICC World Test Championship Final.
In the continued 2026 T20 World Cup, Mohammed Siraj was preferred over Shami as a late alternative for the injured Harshit Rana. After being not noted of last yr’s white-ball tour of Australia, Shami told ESPNcricinfo (via PTI):
“Selection shouldn’t be in my hands. If there may be a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal. I believe I don’t have to speak on this and create an argument. If I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I also can play 50-overs cricket.”
Ajit Agarkar said Shami was not fit (via NDTV):
“If Shami was here, I might give him a solution. If he’s fit, why wouldn’t now we have a bowler like Shami? I even have had multiple chats with him. Over the past six to eight months, what now we have came upon is that he wasn’t fit. He wasn’t fit to be picked for the England tour”
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