India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand has triggered a fresh storm, as Mohammed Shami was yet again overlooked for the national recall.
Mohammed Shami did not find a place in the team, and what has shocked fans even more is that his name was reportedly not part of the selection discussion at all, raising questions about whether the selectors have officially moved on from him in white-ball cricket.
No Place for Mohammed Shami: Ajit Agarkar’s Selection Call Triggers Fan Outrage
On January 3, the Indian selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar announced the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. In a move that has left fans baffled, Agarkar reportedly did not even entertain Shami’s name during the selection meeting, hinting end to the star bowler’s journey with India.
Well, as soon as the BCCI made the announcement, social media erupted with angry reactions from fans questioning Shami’s complete omission. Many fans believe the experienced fast bowler still has a lot to offer in the ODI format. He has not played for India since March 2025.
Team. No Kishan No Shami. Shami not even discussed pic.twitter.com/ypZPmknFho
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) January 3, 2026
Probably the end for Mohammed Shami in Intl.
Mohammed Shami not included in the ODI squad against New Zealand.#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/S58hcxGd4j
— Kanak Kumari (@KanakKu64995524) January 3, 2026
shami jaisa wc legend bahar baitha h and iss chomu ko dekhna pdega ab😭
— Rimanshu (@rimanshu_10) January 3, 2026
How ironical and laughable it is that we have replaced Md. Shami with Harshit Rana, GG:- G*andu Gambhir
— Sanchit Pandey (@sanchit_here) January 3, 2026
Why no shami ??
— Neel (@Omneild) January 3, 2026
Feel bad for shami bhai
— Junaid khan (@Junaidk28616640) January 3, 2026
Why are players forced to play VHT and SMAT if you don’t even look at those stats?
What has Gaikwad done wrong now?
Where is Shami, and if he is not fit, why is the BCCI allowing him to play domestic?
Shami is the right backup for Bumrah.
Hope this is the last selection by…
— Yogesh (@YogeshNagar3) January 3, 2026
Shami definitely deserves to be considered, given his recent performance in VH. He can easily fit in ahead of Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna. https://t.co/SxYpFJDYLG
— IndiaMatters (@AapPolitics) January 3, 2026
Bc selectors shami ko kyu nhi liya
— Umesh Kumar (@umeshkumar52122) January 3, 2026
ignore Shami and trophies will ignore you as well.
Shami should be included in the team. He can groom others. But no! Run leakers are more important.
— rustyesh (@rustyesh) January 3, 2026
🚨 Team Update 🚨
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025
>Matches: 7
>Wickets: 16
>Best: 4/13
>Avg:-14.9 | Eco:-8.9Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26*
>Matches:- 4*
>Wickets:- 8*
>Multiple match-winning spells>Just feel pain for Mohammed Shami 😭💔
>After proving himself in domestic… pic.twitter.com/t6mmVx4mP9— Mithilesh (@WriterMK45) January 3, 2026
Mohammad Shami wasn’t picked:
– Ranji – 20 wickets
– VHT 8 Wkts
– SMAT 16 wkts
– Bowled long red-ball spells in Ranji
– Maintained control in 50-over cricket
– Delivered high-intensity spells in T20sShame on Ajit agarkar 🤡#BCCI pic.twitter.com/gH9YrlI9a5
— 𝐈𝐂𝐓 ᴬᵁᴿᴬ🇮🇳 (@AURAICTT) January 3, 2026
India’s ODI squad for New Zealand series
Shubman Gill will continue to lead the side, with Shreyas Iyer retaining his role of vice-captain. The batting line-up featured star-studded names like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, along with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. KL Rahul and Pant will share wicketkeeping duties.
Read Also: BCCI buries rumours of Rohit Sharma’s ODI captaincy return and Virat Kohli’s Test comeback in 2026
The selectors also picked the strong all-round options in Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, who will not only strengthen the spin attack but also boost the lower-middle order, while Kuldeep Yadav leads the specialist spin attack in the upcoming New Zealand series.
India’s pace attack has seen the return of the fiery paceman Mohammed Siraj as Jasprit Bumrah rested for the upcoming ODI series. Siraj will have the supporting hand of Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy against the Black Caps.
206 ODI Wickets Not Enough? Selectors Shut the Door on Mohammed Shami
Shami’s last Test appearance came against Australia at The Oval back in 2023 when India lost the World Test Championship Mace to the Kangaroos. He was already dropped from the T20I side, and now the Bengal pacer was once again denied an ODI comeback, having last played against England last year in March, and that was in the ICC Champions Trophy.
The seasoned fast bowler is known as the big-event bowler, and he proved that many times, and now he has regained his form, having recovered from ankle and knee injuries. Shami also has extensive international experience, yet the national selectors slapped the door on him despite not having the fitness excuse anymore.
Shami’s continued omission suggests that the selectors have moved on from the bowler as they prepare for the ICC World Cup 2027 on the African continent. Notably, Shami has 206 wickets in 108 ODIs for India at an average of 24.05 and an economy rate of 5.58.
