Former opener Aakash Chopra has hinted that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami might no longer be in the scheme of things in ODIs, and perhaps international cricket as a whole. Aakash Chopra stated that Mohammed Shami has been out of action for a long time and a comeback seems highly improbable.
For the record, Shami had an outstanding 2023 ODI World Cup in which he claimed 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70 and an economy rate of 5.26, with three five-fers, and four-wicket haul. However, he has hardly played any international cricket over the last two years owing to injury and fitness issues. The 35-year-old did play a couple of T20Is against England earlier this year and was also part of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad. However, he hasn’t played a Test match since the 2023 WTC final against Australia.
Aakash Chopra Opines on the Notable Exclusion of Mohammed Shami.
Speaking on his own You Tube channel, Aakash Chopra feels that the time is running out for Shami. He said: “This is a big call that has been taken. If Mohammed Shami has not been taken for a big tour like Australia… His story has had a big gap. The pause if too big. The pause is almost like a stop.”
Aakash Chopra’s thoughts on Sanju Samson’s exclusion from ODI squad.
There was also no place for keeper-batter Sanju Samson in the ODI squad. Ironically, the Kerala cricketer struck a hundred in his last ODI against South Africa in Paarl in December 2023. Regarding Samson’s exclusion, Chopra was not too harsh on the selectors, agreeing to chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s views that there is no place at the top of the order in ODIs for now.
Aakash Chopra said: “Sanju Samson scored a hundred the last time he played an ODI. He batted at No. 3 in South Africa. Dhruv Jurel is in the squad. He is going to be looked at as a future prospect. He recently scored a Test hundred. He is part of the ODI squad now. Rishabh Pant is not there here.”
Chopra further added: “Regarding Samson, Ajit said that we need players who can bat lower down the order, but Sanju does not fit in there. I’ll take that. There is consistency in philosophy. Shreyas Iyer was also not picked in the Asia Cup squad because there was no place at the top.”
Sanju Samson has so far featured in 16 ODIs for India and has scored 510 runs at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of 99.60 with one hundred and three fifties.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli return to ODI set-up
In a major boost to all Indian fans, veteran batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been picked in the Indian squad for the one-day matches in Australia. However, Rohit will not captain the side anymore. Shubman Gill has been named as the new captain keeping in mind and an eye on the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Shreyas Iyer has been named vice-captain of the one-day team that also includes Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana. There is no place for spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Ravindra Jadeja, while lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from the squad as well.
We have to wait and see how this team performs Down Under as India are set to face against Australia in 3-match ODI series starting on October 19th 2025. The 5 T20Is follow this series as well. India will be tested by the Aussies and it remains to be seen how they come out of it. Shubman Gill will be tested as captain and we have to wait and find out how he performs as leader and captain of the side. The others like Virat and Rohit also have to perform to keep their place in the side.
Let us see how things unfold when the series gets underway on October 19th 2025.
Also Read: AUS vs IND: CA Announce Schedule Of A Bumper White Ball Series Against India