New Delhi: Mohammed Shami has dispelled even the slightest concerns over his match fitness and continues to knock hard on the selectors’ doors with his remarkable performances in the Ranji Trophy. The senior pacer has been sidelined from the Indian team for quite a while now, but he continues to toil hard in the domestic circuit to make a compelling case for one final India recall.

The 35-year-old earned a standing ovation from the crowd at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani on Tuesday after returning with exceptional figures of 8/90 for Bengal in their ongoing semi-final clash against Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Shami single-handedly ran through J&K’s batting line-up in their first innings to help Bengal bundle them out for 302 runs, in response to the hosts’ first-innings total of 328 runs.

Currently the sixth-highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, Shami recorded his best-ever first-class figures with his eight-wicket haul for Bengal against Jammu & Kashmir in the all-important semi-final. The pacer sent a loud message to the selectors as there continues to be suspense over his India future.

Despite his consistent returns in the domestic circuit over the last few months, there has been little from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel’s side that suggests a comeback might be on the cards for the veteran pacer. Shami, who last played for India during the Champions Trophy last year, was sidelined from the Test and ODI setup due to fitness reasons.

As the pacer made his comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and continued to play one game after another for Bengal, the suspense deepened over his sidelining. Shami fired a few salvos at Agarkar and his selection panel, hinting at a lack of clarity on both ends. However, despite his performances in the domestic circuit, there was no word on Shami’s comeback or future.

Shami bagged his second fifer in his last three games for Bengal after returning with figures of 8/90 in J&K’s second innings in the Ranji semifinal. He surpassed his previous best first-class figures of 7/79 in the game to prove why there is still enough left in the tank for the pacer to make one final return for India.

Barring Agarkar’s remarks on the senior pacer not being match fit last year, there has been no official response from the selectors or the team management yet on why Shami continues to be ignored for India despite his performances in the domestic circuit. Arguably one of India’s most experienced pacers at present, Shami has been a proven performer in ICC tournaments and can be a useful resource for India in Tests and ODIs with the World Cup lined up next year.

However, many believe Shami has run the race, and his chances of making a comeback for India might be all but over. The reasons are understandable – the pacer is already 35 and well past his prime. The selectors and the India team management also seem to have moved on and are focusing on building a fresh, young pace attack, keeping the future in mind.

The relationship between Shami and chief selector Agarkar, if not the entire selection panel, also seems to have been strained after the exchange of comments last year. Nonetheless, with selector RP Singh in attendance for Bengal’s semi-final against J&K in Kalyani, there remains a glimmer of hope for Shami.

Former India pacer Singh reportedly played a key role in Ishan Kishan’s comeback in India’s T20I squad before the T20 World Cup after the Jharkhand skipper’s stellar run in the Syed Mushatq Ali Trophy. It remains to be seen if Singh will push Shami’s case with the rest of the selection panel when India’s squad is picked for their tour of New Zealand in October this year.

Shami’s performances in the IPL will also be the key. The senior Indian pacer was traded from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the upcoming season and will be hoping to continue his fine form for his new franchise.