Shopping cart
Your cart empty!
Mohammed Shami Shines in SMAT with 4-Wicket Haul, Sparks Debate on National Team Snub
Mohammed Shami delivered another impactful performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025–26, strengthening his case for a national team return. The senior India pacer claimed a four-wicket haul against Haryana, finishing with figures of 4/30 in four overs, even as Bengal slipped to their second straight defeat.
Haryana posted 191/9, but the highlight of the innings remained Shami’s fiery spell—another chapter in his consistent domestic form this season.
This performance also marked Shami’s third consecutive spell of three or more wickets, following 4/13 against Services and 3/24 against Puducherry, taking him to third on the SMAT wicket-takers list.
Across seven innings, Shami now has 16 wickets, averaging 14.93 with an economy rate of 8.90, reaffirming both form and fitness.
Despite this, the veteran pacer continues to remain out of India’s plans. He last featured for India in the Champions Trophy 2025, with his previous Test appearance dating back to the WTC Final 2023, where India lost to Australia.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had earlier cited fitness concerns as the reason behind excluding Shami from the England tour. However, Shami’s recent workload suggests otherwise. Since September, he has regularly represented Bengal in domestic cricket, returning with 20 wickets from four Ranji Trophy matches before joining SMAT.
As he continues to deliver match after match, Shami’s exclusion has become a growing point of debate among fans and experts alike. His performances indicate he is far from done—and the ball is now firmly in the selectors’ court.
93
Published: Dec 09, 2025
All India Story
All India Story is your trusted source for comprehensive and up-to-the-minute news coverage across India. Bringing you the latest on politics, business, technology, entertainment, sports, and more, we are dedicated to keeping you informed with accurate, engaging, and insightful stories from every corner of the nation.
Related to this topic:
Shubman Gill IPL: Pujara Predicts Breakout Season
Dec 09, 2025
