Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami may have been left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, but the 35 year old refuses to let disappointment define him. Instead, he has chosen the path of resilience, confirming that he will turn out in the Duleep Trophy, which begins on August 28, to keep sharpening his game.
Speaking to News24Sports, Shami addressed his omission with rare composure. “I don’t blame anyone for non selection or complain about it. If I’m right for the team, select me; if I’m not, then I have no issues with it. Selectors have the responsibility to do what’s best for Team India. I have belief in my abilities that if and when I’m granted an opportunity, I’ll give my best. I’m working hard,”.
For the Asia Cup, India has placed its faith in Jasprit Bumrah to spearhead the attack, with Shami not even making the list of five reserve players. It marks another difficult chapter for the seasoned pacer, who only earlier this year made a long awaited return to T20Is after three years, featuring in the home series against England. Though he went wicketless in Rajkot, he showed glimpses of his old rhythm by bagging three wickets in Mumbai.
When asked about his availability, Shami responded with quiet defiance. “If I can play the Duleep Trophy, then why won’t I be able to play T20 cricket?” His words carried the weight of a man unwilling to bow out without a fight.
Yet, form and fitness have both weighed against him. Shami endured a disappointing IPL 2025 with Sunrisers Hyderabad, managing just six wickets in nine games before being benched. His exclusion from the England Test series that followed amid fitness concerns only added to the uncertainty around his future. However, the pacer revealed that he has since cleared the Bronco fitness test in Bengaluru, a significant step in silencing doubts about his readiness.
For Indian cricket fans, Shami’s absence from the Asia Cup is bittersweet. On one hand, the team banks on Bumrah and a younger pace unit to deliver glory in the UAE. On the other, the sight of a battle-hardened campaigner like Shami being sidelined feels like the end of an era. But for the man himself, the fight is far from over.
At 35, Shami is not ready to write his final chapter. With the Duleep Trophy in front of him and his eyes still fixed on the biggest stages, the veteran has made his stance clear: as long as the ball is in his hand, the fire to serve India will burn on.
