Mohammed Shami 2027 World Cup Chances: Sourav Ganguly Gives Verdict on India Comeback

Mohammed Shami 2027 ODI World Cup chances have become a major talking point in Indian Cricket, and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has now offered his perspective on the veteran fast bowler’s future. Ganguly rejected suggestions that Shami is being ignored by selectors but stopped short of predicting whether the pacer will make India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Speaking to reporters at Eden Gardens, Ganguly described Shami as an “absolute champion” and acknowledged his continued performances in domestic cricket. However, the former India captain also pointed out that Shami is 35 and that the World Cup is still more than a year away.

That combination makes Shami’s situation particularly interesting. His experience and proven ability remain valuable, but India’s selectors will eventually have to balance those qualities against fitness, workload, form and the emergence of younger fast bowlers.

Ganguly rejects claims that Shami is being neglected

One of the clearest points in Ganguly’s comments was his rejection of the idea that Shami has been deliberately overlooked by the national selectors.

The former India captain said Shami is “not being neglected”, offering support for the current management’s approach to the experienced pacer. Ganguly also acknowledged that Shami has continued to perform consistently in domestic cricket.

This is significant because Shami’s recent international absence has created questions about his place in India’s plans. The fast bowler has not been part of the national squad since March 2025 and has not played Test cricket since the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.

However, his domestic performances show that he remains determined to stay in contention. His recent Duleep Trophy appearance was especially important because it gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and competitive level in first-class cricket.

Why Ganguly is not predicting Shami’s 2027 selection

Ganguly was careful not to make a definitive prediction about Shami’s participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup. His reasoning was straightforward: the tournament is still a considerable distance away.

The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled for October, with matches to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. With more than a year remaining, several factors can change before the final squad is selected.

For Shami, those factors include fitness, match workload, performances in domestic cricket, opportunities in international cricket and the development of India’s younger pace options.

Ganguly therefore avoided making a selection call based on the present situation. His position effectively leaves the door open for Shami while recognising that the final decision will depend on what happens between now and the tournament.

Shami’s age is an important part of the discussion

Ganguly’s comments about age are perhaps the most important part of his assessment. Shami has already built a remarkable international career, but fast bowling is one of the most physically demanding roles in cricket.

At 35, maintaining fitness and recovering consistently between matches becomes increasingly important. A bowler may still possess the skill and experience to perform at the highest level, but selectors also have to consider whether he can handle the workload of a major tournament.

That does not mean age automatically rules Shami out. Instead, it makes the selection process more dependent on evidence from the months leading into the World Cup.

Shami’s advantage is that his greatest strengths are not based purely on pace. His seam movement, accuracy, ability to attack the stumps and experience against international batters give him qualities that can remain valuable even as a fast bowler gets older.

Shami’s road back to India starts with domestic cricket

Shami has already shown that he is willing to take the longer route back into the national team. His participation in the Duleep Trophy provided another opportunity to prove that he can still influence matches.

In his 100th first-class appearance, Shami claimed two important wickets for East Zone. His contribution came as the team eventually secured the Duleep Trophy after establishing a massive first-innings advantage over South Zone.

For a player attempting to return to India’s plans, domestic cricket offers more than just match practice. It allows selectors and team management to monitor workload, rhythm, bowling intensity and physical response over longer periods.

That could be particularly important for Shami because India have a crowded fast-bowling group. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and several younger options are competing for opportunities across formats.

Shami’s experience remains a major asset

India’s selectors have plenty of young fast-bowling options, but experience cannot simply be replaced overnight. Shami has played at multiple World Cups and has spent years operating under pressure in international cricket.

That experience could become particularly useful in a World Cup hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where conditions may demand different approaches from the bowling attack.

South African conditions, in particular, can reward seam movement and disciplined fast bowling. A bowler with Shami’s understanding of lengths, movement and match situations could therefore remain useful if he can maintain his physical standards.

However, that is a potential advantage rather than a guarantee of selection. India have several bowlers capable of competing for the same positions, meaning Shami will need to demonstrate that his current level remains high enough to justify his inclusion.

Ganguly uses his own career as an example

Ganguly also drew on his own playing career while discussing Shami’s situation. The former India captain recalled being left out of India’s World Cup plans for a period before eventually fighting his way back into contention.

The comparison offers an important perspective. International selection is rarely a completely straight path, particularly for experienced players. A period outside the team does not necessarily mean the door has permanently closed.

Ganguly’s own experience suggests that performances and circumstances can change a player’s position quickly. For Shami, the challenge now is to continue creating evidence that he deserves another opportunity.

India’s fast-bowling competition could decide Shami’s fate

The biggest obstacle facing Shami may not be a lack of quality but the strength of India’s pace-bowling pool.

Jasprit Bumrah remains one of India’s most important fast-bowling options, while Mohammed Siraj has extensive international experience. Prasidh Krishna has also been part of India’s plans, and younger bowlers are receiving opportunities to develop.

India’s selectors therefore have several combinations available to them. They could choose a highly experienced attack, prioritise younger players with long-term potential, or create a mixture of experience and youth.

Shami’s chances will depend on where he fits into that combination by the time the selectors begin finalising their World Cup plans.

Ishan Kishan also earns Ganguly’s praise

Ganguly’s comments were not limited to Shami. The former India captain also praised Ishan Kishan after the wicketkeeper-batter’s impressive run of performances in domestic cricket.

Kishan has been one of the standout performers for East Zone and recently produced a historic performance in the Duleep Trophy. He scored 270 in the first innings of the final against South Zone, helping East Zone post 708.

He later added 80 in the second innings, finishing the final with 350 runs across two innings. East Zone eventually won the title after the match ended in a draw because their huge first-innings lead was decisive.

Ganguly highlighted Kishan’s performances across domestic competitions, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Duleep Trophy.

Could Ishan Kishan return to Test cricket?

Ganguly also expressed optimism about Kishan’s Test prospects. The wicketkeeper-batter last played a Test for India in July 2023, meaning a return would represent a significant comeback to the red-ball setup.

His recent domestic performances strengthen the argument that he remains capable of competing for a place. The challenge, however, is that India have established wicketkeeping and batting options, meaning Kishan would still need to convince the selectors that his current form and role fit the team’s Test requirements.

His Duleep Trophy performances nevertheless provide a strong platform. Scoring heavily in a major domestic competition gives a player a much clearer case for consideration than simply relying on past international reputation.

Shami and Kishan represent two different comeback stories

Interestingly, Ganguly’s comments bring together two experienced Indian players at different stages of their comeback journeys.

Shami is trying to remain relevant at the highest level as he enters the later stage of his career. His challenge is to prove that experience and skill still outweigh the concerns surrounding age and workload.

Kishan, meanwhile, is attempting to rebuild his case for international selection after spending a significant period away from the Test team. His recent domestic performances have given him momentum.

Both situations demonstrate the importance of domestic cricket in India’s selection system. Strong performances do not guarantee selection, but they give players the opportunity to make their case with tangible evidence.

What Shami needs to do before the 2027 World Cup

If Shami wants to force his way into India’s 2027 ODI World Cup plans, consistency will be more important than one standout performance.

He needs to remain fit, build a sustained run of competitive cricket and demonstrate that he can handle the workload expected from an international fast bowler. Regular performances in domestic cricket can help, but opportunities against high-level opposition would provide an even clearer indication of his readiness.

Another important factor will be how India manage their pace resources during the next year. If the selectors gradually increase Shami’s involvement and he responds well, his World Cup case could become stronger.

Conversely, if younger bowlers establish themselves and Shami struggles with availability, the competition could become difficult to overcome.

Why Shami cannot be ruled out yet

Despite the uncertainty, it would be premature to rule Shami out of the 2027 World Cup picture.

Ganguly’s comments reflect that position. He did not promise selection, but neither did he suggest that Shami’s international career is effectively over. Instead, he recognised the uncertainty created by the amount of time remaining before the tournament.

That leaves Shami with a clear objective: continue performing and make the selectors reconsider him whenever opportunities arise.

His experience gives him a strong foundation, while his domestic performances show that he remains motivated to compete. The final decision, however, will depend on his form, fitness and India’s requirements closer to the tournament.

Final Verdict

Sourav Ganguly’s assessment provides a balanced view of Mohammed Shami’s 2027 ODI World Cup prospects. He rejected the idea that the veteran pacer is being neglected but also refused to guarantee that Shami will be selected for the tournament.

At 35, Shami faces the additional challenge of age and workload, but his experience, skill and continued domestic performances keep him in the broader conversation. With the World Cup still more than a year away, there is enough time for his position to change significantly.

For now, Shami’s comeback remains a race against both the calendar and a growing group of Indian fast bowlers. If he stays fit and continues producing match-winning performances, the door to the 2027 ODI World Cup should remain open. Ganguly’s message is ultimately one of uncertainty rather than exclusion: Shami still has a chance, but he will have to earn it.