Bowling Blow! Mohammed Shami’s Fitness Woes Put England Tour in Doubt

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India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami is highly likely to miss the upcoming five-Test series against England, with multiple reports confirming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to exclude him from the squad due to ongoing fitness and workload concerns. The series, beginning June 20 at Headingley, was expected to see Shami lead the attack, but his recent recovery and current condition have raised red flags among selectors and medical staff.

Key Highlights:

Fitness Woes: Despite returning to bowl for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, Shami has not built up the stamina required for the rigors of Test cricket. He is currently able to bowl short spells but has not demonstrated the ability to sustain longer, multi-session efforts essential for Tests. His last red-ball appearance was the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.
Medical Assessment: A BCCI medical team member assessed Shami in Lucknow this week. While he has recovered from his 2024 ankle surgery, he is now managing pain in his right knee, which has hampered his ability to increase his bowling workload to Test-match levels.
Selector’s Dilemma: The BCCI’s medical team has advised the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee that Shami is not ready to bowl full throttle in a Test match. As a result, selectors are expected to play it safe and leave him out of the England tour unless a last-minute positive report emerges.
Replacement Options: With Shami’s absence, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is tipped for a maiden Test call-up, while Haryana’s Anshul Kamboj is also under consideration after a strong showing for India A.
Transition Phase: Shami’s likely omission signals a significant shift in India’s pace attack, with selectors prioritizing bowlers who can handle the demanding English conditions and five-match series workload.

The official squad announcement is expected soon, and Shami’s absence will be closely watched as India recalibrates its bowling resources for a crucial overseas challenge.

Sources: NDTV, ESPNcricinfo, News18