Team India’s New Strategy Could Damage Career Hopes for These Star Cricketers​​​

Udaipur, Aug 13, 2025: Indian cricket team’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been out of Test cricket for a long time. Will he return after the India-England series? There is doubt about it. Shami stayed away from cricket for more than a year due to injury after the final of the ODI World Cup 2023. After recovering, he played in all three formats in domestic cricket and performed well. Because of this, he earned a place in the T20 and then the ODI formats. He was also part of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy 2025, but he has still not returned to Test cricket.

The New Zealand Test series, Australia Test series, and England Test series were three clear chances for Shami to make a comeback. But whether due to fitness issues or the team giving more chances to young players, he could not find a place in the Test squad. In recent matches, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has preferred young fast bowlers.

The BCCI has told Shami that the doors of Team India are still open for him. However, he must prove both his fitness and form in the upcoming Duleep Trophy starting this month. The key point here is that now his form will also be closely judged.

Kohli and Rohit?

Amid talks about the ODI future of veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking its time to decide. After canceling the proposed Bangladesh tour in August, India will play its next ODI series in Australia from October 19 to 25.

Some in the BCCI want Kohli and Rohit to play for India ‘A’ to prepare for the Australia tour. Australia’s ‘A’ team will play three List ‘A’ matches in Kanpur on September 30, October 3, and October 5.

Kohli and Rohit together have scored 83 centuries and more than 25,000 ODI runs. But by the 2027 ODI World Cup, Rohit will be 40 years old and Kohli will be 39. This raises the question—will they still play till then?

Yuzvendra Chahal?

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has stayed away from international cricket since 2023. He joined the Indian squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup but did not play any match. Now, the team management seems to be moving ahead without him.

Even so, Chahal continues to fight for a comeback. He is playing for Northamptonshire in the 2025 County Championship and is impressing with his bowling.

Manish Pandey’s Career

Manish Pandey, who debuted in 2015, has scored 709 runs in 39 T20 Internationals at an average of 44.31 and a strike rate of 126.15. Despite his talent, Pandey failed to deliver consistent performances for India. As a result, his international career now appears to be almost over.