Chennai: Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has urged the Indian team management and selectors not to shut the door on veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, arguing that age should not become a barrier when a player continues to perform.

Arun’s comments come as Shami prepares to play his 100th first-class match for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The milestone has renewed discussion around the fast bowler’s international future, particularly after he has spent more than a year outside India’s Test and white-ball plans.

Shami, 36, last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. While injury concerns and competition for places have affected his recent international career, he has continued to play domestic cricket and remains an experienced wicket-taking fast bowler.

Bharat Arun backs Shami for an India comeback

Arun, who worked closely with Shami during his time as India’s bowling coach, believes the pacer’s international career should not be considered over.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Arun said the selection door should not have been closed on Shami and insisted that there is still plenty of cricket left in the veteran fast bowler.

His argument centres on performance rather than age. According to Arun, if a player continues to perform at a high level, selectors should assess what he can contribute rather than automatically ruling him out because of his age.

The former bowling coach also pointed to Shami’s durability as evidence of his ability to continue competing at the highest level.

The Duleep Trophy final will mark Shami’s 100th first-class appearance, a significant milestone in a career that has included 64 Tests for India.

Shami set for 100th first-class appearance

Shami’s 100th first-class match is particularly significant because red-ball cricket has played a central role in his career.

Across his 99 first-class matches before the Duleep Trophy final, Shami has taken 382 wickets at an average of 26.30. His Test record is similarly impressive, with 195 wickets from 64 matches at an average of 27.71.

However, he has not played a Test for India in more than three years.

His latest international appearance came in the Champions Trophy final in 2025, after which fitness concerns and India’s evolving pace-bowling combination limited his opportunities.

The current Indian set-up has increasingly relied on younger or fully fit options, while Jasprit Bumrah remains the leader of the pace attack when available.

That has made Shami’s path back into the national team more difficult, particularly with selectors also managing the workload and fitness of India’s fast bowlers.

Ishan Kishan sees hunger in Shami

East Zone captain Ishan Kishan has also spoken positively about Shami’s desire to return to international cricket.

Kishan, who is part of India’s white-ball set-up, said he could see the hunger and motivation in Shami despite the veteran pacer not being a regular member of the national side.

According to Kishan, Shami continues to want a comeback and wants to be part of the Indian squad again.

That motivation has been visible during his domestic appearances.

For a player who has already established himself as one of India’s leading fast bowlers, continuing to compete in domestic cricket after losing his regular international place requires considerable commitment.

Kishan’s comments therefore reinforce Arun’s argument that Shami’s current domestic performances should remain part of the selection conversation.

Shami continues to contribute in domestic cricket

Shami’s recent domestic record has also strengthened the case made by his former coach.

The pacer has continued to take wickets despite no longer being a regular member of India’s international squads. His first-class average remains below 27, while his Test record has established him as one of India’s most successful fast bowlers of the modern era.

He also had a productive IPL 2026 campaign with Lucknow Super Giants, taking 12 wickets in 13 matches.

Although IPL performances cannot directly determine Test selection, they provide evidence that Shami remains capable of handling high-level competitive cricket.

The bigger question for the selectors is therefore not simply whether Shami can still bowl effectively, but whether his fitness, workload and current form make him the right option for India’s future international assignments.

Age versus performance remains the key debate

Arun’s comments highlight a broader question facing Indian cricket: how should experienced players be assessed when younger alternatives are available?

Shami is now 36, an age at which fast bowlers naturally require greater workload management. However, Arun believes age should not automatically determine selection if the player continues to perform.

His 100th first-class appearance also provides a useful measure of Shami’s longevity. Arun specifically pointed to the milestone as evidence of the pacer’s durability and sustained involvement in red-ball cricket.

Shami’s own passion for bowling has also been highlighted by Arun. The former coach described him as someone who enjoys bowling regardless of whether he is in a competitive match or training in the nets.

That enthusiasm, combined with his experience and domestic record, could make him an attractive option if India encounter further pace-bowling injuries or require additional experience.

No confirmation of Shami recall yet

Despite Arun’s strong backing, there is currently no indication that India have decided to recall Shami.

His return to the national side would ultimately depend on the selectors, team management and medical staff assessing his fitness, current form and suitability for India’s upcoming schedule.

The comments from Arun and Kishan should therefore be viewed as support for Shami rather than evidence of an imminent selection decision.

For now, Shami’s immediate focus is the Duleep Trophy final and a landmark 100th first-class appearance.

The match against South Zone gives him another opportunity to demonstrate his fitness and bowling quality in a competitive red-ball environment. A strong performance could keep the discussion around an India comeback alive, even if it does not guarantee a recall.

For a bowler who has already played a major role in India’s Test success and remains committed to the game, the Duleep Trophy milestone is another reminder of the experience he still brings to Indian cricket.