Mohammed Shami — in 2023 he was more than “just a bowler” for India. He was a swing magician, a death-overs assassin, a match-winner under pressure. He ended the 2023 Cricket World Cup as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. And then… he faded from the spotlight. Limited appearances. Fitness concerns. A long, uneasy silence. The man who once carried India’s pace attack now waits in the shadows. So today we must ask: Will Mohammed Shami ever wear the India cap again?
But before we attempt to answer that, we need to go back to where it all began.
Mohammed Shami was born on 3 September 1990 in a small village near Amroha, Uttar Pradesh. Rural life meant hard days and modest means, but talent often grows in the most unlikely places. His father, a farmer and a former fast bowler in his youth, noticed something early — the natural wrist position, the effortless seam release, the glimmer of pace that few teenagers possess. Encouraged by that spark, Shami moved to Moradabad as a teenager to train under structured coaching. He worked tirelessly, bowling spell after spell in the heat, understanding rhythm, swing, seam, and the art of hitting the deck hard. But opportunities were limited. He wasn’t from a cricketing city; he didn’t have academy privileges. So he made a bold decision — he left home again.
Shami relocated to Kolkata, hoping Bengal’s club cricket would give him the stage he had never had. There he lived modestly, bowled relentlessly, and impressed quietly. Eventually, his consistency and discipline earned him a place in Bengal’s state side.
In the 2010–11 Ranji Trophy, he made his first-class debut. Those early years were harsh, filled with travel, rented rooms, and unseen hours of hard work. But in 2013, that struggle paid off — he made his India debut in January, completing a remarkable journey from village dusty grounds to the international stage.
From the farms of Uttar Pradesh to India’s pace attack, Shami’s rise was built not on privilege, but on grit, raw pace, and unflinching determination. His origin story remains one of the most inspiring in modern Indian cricket.
In just 7 matches, he took 24 wickets — the highest by any bowler in the competition. His spell of 7 for 57 in the semi-final against New Zealand became one of the most iconic World Cup bowling performances ever by an Indian.
Under pressure, with newer balls, older balls, and in death overs, Shami produced magic. His seam upright, his swing controlled, his accuracy relentless. He dismantled top orders, broke partnerships, and turned matches with spells that were both artistic and brutal.
The world watched in awe — this was Shami at his absolute peak.
And then… everything changed.
After the World Cup, Shami developed a chronic heel and Achilles-related issue — an injury that had reportedly troubled him during the tournament but worsened afterward. By early 2024, the problem was serious enough to require surgery, which he underwent in February.
It was a major procedure, and unlike minor niggles, this wasn’t a two-week break. It meant long rehab, careful loading, and monitored return. Fast bowling is a cruel discipline — it punishes joints, tendons, and ankles with every stride. For Shami, coming back wouldn’t just be about skill; it would be about whether his body would cooperate.
Post surgery, he eased back into cricket through domestic tournaments. He bowled long spells in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), showing early signs that his rhythm was returning. But as workload increased, a new concern emerged — swelling in his left knee.
That swelling wasn’t catastrophic, but it was significant enough for medical staff to issue caution. They advised against exposing him to Test-level workloads too soon. Because of this, Shami was ruled out of the final two Tests of India’s 2024–25 Australia tour, despite being otherwise recovered from the heel injury. It was a reminder that for fast bowlers — especially those in their mid-30s — comebacks aren’t linear. They zigzag, pause, and often get delayed by the smallest of setbacks.
Through 2025, Shami worked his way back again. He bowled in domestic fixtures, participated in club-level cricket, and continued his recovery. Those who watched him noted that his wrist position, seam control, and swing were still there. But the ultimate judgment wasn’t about skill — it was about durability.
Because as of late 2025, Shami is 35 years old. For most fast bowlers, this is the stage where the body begins to whisper warnings and sometimes scream limits. Yet age alone never defines a comeback. Fitness does. Rhythm does. Opportunity does.
And most importantly — the selectors do.
The context around Shami is very different from when he was at his peak. Indian cricket now has a deep pace pool. Younger quicks are pushing hard. Team management must think not only about current form but also future cycles, long-term planning, and workload history.
This doesn’t shut the door for Shami. But it does make the pathway narrower, tougher, and dependent on more than just talent.
Still, here’s what we know for certain:
Shami’s 2023 World Cup performance cemented him as one of the best fast bowlers on the planet. Few bowlers in world cricket have delivered under pressure the way he did. And his rehabilitation, domestic outings, and public statements all point to the same truth: he is working extremely hard to return to full match readiness. He has not switched off. He has not slowed down. The fire still burns brightly.
But here’s what remains uncertain:
Whether his body can consistently handle the physical demands of long Test-match spells beyond the age of 35. His knee swelling during 2024 reminds us how fragile fast-bowling comebacks can be.
If he does return, which format will welcome him back?
Tests require stamina and durability.
ODIs demand rhythm and movement.
T20s reward speed and variations but carry fierce competition.
And perhaps the most important question:
Will selectors view him as a long-term option, or as a situational specialist — someone to be deployed only in certain conditions that suit swing bowling?
None of these answers are clear today.
He has the heart.
And he still has the hunger to return.
As of late 2025: Yes — he can still play for India again. But it depends on fitness, form, and opportunity aligning at the right moment.
If they do, we may yet see him breaking bats, swinging old balls, and delivering match-turning spells once more. If they don’t, his 2023 peak may stand as the final, unforgettable chapter of his international story.
This — the hope, the fight, the uncertainty — is the real story.
So what do you think?
Is there one last roar left in Mohammed Shami’s career? Or has that chapter already closed?
