Mohammed Shami Hits Back at ‘Not a T20 Bowler’ Tag, Questions Selection

Mohammed Shami defends his T20 credentials, citing strong IPL numbers while questioning his continued exclusion from India’s T20I setup.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has strongly responded to criticism surrounding his T20 credentials, dismissing the notion that he isn’t suited for the shortest format. Despite consistent performances in the IPL and domestic cricket, Shami remains out of India’s T20I plans, with selectors continuing to prefer names like Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

“I don’t think anyone needs to count the numbers,” Mohammed Shami told Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube. “I believe if you have the talent and the skill, why judge by the numbers? If you are performing for your team on any and every platform, then you are not inferior to anybody.

About the IPL, you can pick up the records, agar koi Indian bowler mere aas paas bhi ho toh (if you can find any Indian bowler who’s even close to me), even then I am ‘not a T20 bowler’. It’s okay. In the last five-six years, I have 130 wickets. What more do you want?” he added.

Selection Snub Despite Strong Performances

Shami last featured in T20Is during a series against England in early 2025, a phase when Bumrah was unavailable. However, since then, India have reverted to their preferred pace combination, even overlooking Shami when injuries created opportunities. When Harshit Rana was ruled out ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, selectors opted for Mohammed Siraj instead.

Despite this, Shami’s domestic performances have remained impressive. He picked up 16 wickets in just seven matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, underlining his effectiveness in T20 cricket. However, in IPL numbers between 2020 and 2025, he still trails behind leading Indian pacers like Bumrah, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep, and Harshal Patel in total wickets.

‘PR Matters a Lot’: Shami Reflects on Selection Factors

Shami also hinted at external factors influencing selection, including the role of public relations in modern cricket.

“PR matters a lot,” he added. “Several companies do it. But you can’t change luck. I believe in luck. Maybe someone can stop me for some time, maybe it’ll be beneficial for me if I don’t get a few games. Maybe if I had played, my performances wouldn’t have gone well. So I try to see these things in a positive way, even when they seem negative,” he said.

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While Shami remains confident in his abilities, his absence from India’s T20 plans continues to raise questions, especially given his experience and consistent performances across formats.