Former Indian batter Navjot Singh Sidhu has called for Mohammed Shami’s inclusion for the five-match Test series between India and England, stating the fast bowler is a match-winner. According to sources, as quoted by TOI, Shami is not an automatic selection for the England series as he hasn’t been at his absolute best after returning from injury. 

Mohammed Shami has taken 42 wickets in 14 Tests for India in English conditions at an average of 40.50. Shami has got the experience under his belt but it would be interesting to note Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel decision on his selection.

Shami was part of India’s Champions Trophy winning campaign but Shami hasn’t been at his best for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025, which has been suspended for a week amid rising tension between India and Pakistan. The fast bowler from Bengal has scalped six wickets in nine matches for the Orange Army at an average of 56.16 and a high economy rate of 11.23.

Shami also missed the major part of ICC Test Championship 2023-25 cycle after he suffered an ankle injury in the 2023 World Cup.

Sidhu noted that Shami is a different bowler altogether with the red-ball and his selection should not be confused with his recent white-ball numbers.

Sidhu said as quoted by India Today, “Let me tell you about Shami — a lot of people might be thinking, ‘No, he’s expensive with the white ball,’ but that’s wrong.”

“When the red ball comes into play, the seam protrudes — it’s almost upright, and it stays that way. When the seam hits, Shami makes it nip off the surface by about six inches, and that movement causes more trouble than the one that swings in the air. That’s why, as a red-ball bowler, he is a match-winner — out and out,” he added.

The opening Test between England and India will be played at Leeds, Headingley on June 20 onwards.