Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 18 (HBTV): Veteran Indian seamer Mohammed Shami met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the latter’s residence.
The meeting came amid recent speculation about Shami's future in Indian cricket, following reports suggesting that his participation in the upcoming England tour depends on his ability to bowl sustained spells. Some reports also hinted at the possibility of his imminent retirement.
Reacting strongly, Shami broke his silence and responded to the rumours via Instagram, posting a screenshot of one such article along with a sharp message: ‘Very well done. Also, start counting the days left to say “adieu” to your job, then see ours later. People like you have ruined our future. Try saying nice things sometimes, too. Today's worst story, sorry.’
Shami’s form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been below par. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, he managed to take only six wickets in nine matches at an average of 56.16 and was eventually dropped from the playing XI due to poor performance.
The 34-year-old last bowled in Test cricket for India during the World Test Championship Final against Australia in 2023. Following a long injury layoff after the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami made a comeback to domestic cricket, playing in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, where he took seven wickets against Madhya Pradesh.
Although rumours circulated about his potential return for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he was not included in the squad. Despite the setbacks, Shami has continued to feature for India across formats in 2025, including the title-winning Champions Trophy campaign.
His possible inclusion in the England Test series, beginning June 20, remains uncertain, with selectors reportedly assessing his physical readiness to handle the demands of the format. Speculation has also emerged that Shami might follow the path of senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom recently announced their retirement from Test cricket.
Shami has represented India in 64 Tests, claiming 229 wickets at an average of 27.1, including six five-wicket hauls. With the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s Test squad faces a growing experience gap.
(ANI)