In the forthcoming Twenty20 International series against England, Sanjay Bangar does not want India to take a chance with Mohammed Shami. He believes that the seasoned bowler would be more useful in Test matches and might not want to play in the T20 World Cup the following year.
India will play England in a five-match Twenty20 International series. Three One-Day Internationals will follow the opening match on January 22 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. Shami hasn’t played for the Men in Blue since the 2023 ODI World Cup final, so it’s unclear if the selectors will consider him for the series.
If Mohammed Shami had participated in the just finished Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25, he would have been a formidable weapon alongside Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. In 64 Test matches, Mohammed Shami has taken 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. In his meager 23 T20I appearances, he has recorded 24 dismissals at an economy rate of 8.94.
Mohammed Shami Played To Prove His Fitness – Sanjay Bangar
During a discussion on the Star Sports show ‘Follow the Blues’, Bangar was asked whether India should go back to Shami for the T20Is against England.
“I think the reason he played the Syed Mushtaq Ali and, for that matter, he is also probably playing the Vijay Hazare, was to prove his fitness. If you are thinking ahead whether he is going to be a part of the World Cup squad and you have a chance to really look that much ahead, you have that luxury,” he responded
“I don’t really think that he personally would want to be a part of that World Cup squad. The Test format is still his best format and that is where India need him the most,” the former India all-rounder added.
Bangar noted that if Shami had participated in the just finished Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024–25, he would have been a formidable weapon alongside Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. In 64 Test matches, Mohammed Shami has taken 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. In his meager 23 T20I appearances, he has recorded 24 dismissals at an economy rate of 8.94.
The Tall & Lanky Prasidh Krishna Looks Formidable
In the same discussion, Sanjay Bangar noted that he would prefer to play Prasidh Krishna ahead of Mohammed Shami in the T20Is against England.
“I would rather groom somebody like a Prasidh Krishna because you want to know a little bit more about him. He is somebody who picked up six wickets in the last Test match that he played,” he said.
The former India batting coach added that the lanky Karnataka pacer could be a handy bowler for the middle overs.
“He also came to the limelight because of his performances in the T20 format. He has the ability to bowl the short ball and you want to exploit that. Look what England do, they want faster bowlers to bowl in the middle overs because they want batters who are coming on the front foot to be dismissed off the short ball,” Bangar elaborated.
Prasidh Krishna has picked up eight wickets at an economy rate of 11.00 in five T20Is. He has accounted for 81 dismissals at an economy rate of 8.60 in