Mohammed Shami's role during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has become increasingly significant as India prepares for their knockout matches. The latest match against New Zealand, held on March 2 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, highlighted both his potential and the concerns surrounding his fitness.
India faced New Zealand for the final group-stage match, where the stakes were high—the winner would emerge at the top of Group A. Shami, who had previously impressed with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, exhibited mixed performance levels leading up to this match. His efforts throughout the tournament included superb displays against Bangladesh and Pakistan, where both Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli secured centuries to contribute to India's success.
Shami's health, though, raised some eyebrows. After struggling with his form against Pakistan, where he left the field for treatment, there were discussions about the possibility of resting him for the upcoming knockout rounds against Australia. Aakash Chopra, former Indian opener, suggested on Sports 18, "Shami shouldn’t play against New Zealand with Arshdeep taking his place in the Playing XI. If India bowls second..." This perspective emphasized the importance of preservation before the semi-finals, especially if fatigue or injury continued to plague Shami.
Conversely, Sanjay Bangar, another expert voice and former Indian coach, countered this notion, stating, "I disagree. Injury can happen to anyone and in any match... The more game time he gets, the more it benefits him." This clash of opinions reflects the challenging balance between managing player health and maximizing competitive advantage.
During the match against New Zealand, Shami experienced what appeared to be another injury scare. He took a hit to his right side during the innings' closing overs as he attempted to run for additional runs. The throw from New Zealand's skipper Mitchell Santner was somewhat errant, impacting Shami's back. The incident momentarily halted play as the Indian physios rushed to assess him, raising the tension levels among anxious fans. Thankfully, he seemed to recover quickly and continued to bat, though he couldn't capitalize on his momentum effectively before the innings ended.
India finished the group stage with 249 runs on the board, thanks largely to contributions from Shreyas Iyer, who scored 79 runs, and support from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya. Despite not setting the highest totals, India's bowlers, including Shami, were expected to deliver, especially with the semi-final against Australia looming on March 4.
Shami's form, especially following his recovery from previous injuries, is under tight scrutiny. He had returned to the national squad following more than a year of rehabilitation after suffering ankle injuries post the World Cup 2023. His initial comeback performances were promising, leading to his inclusion for the Champions Trophy after notable displays across domestic competitions. The selection committee had pinpointed his skills as integral to India's hopes for clinching the title.
With the stakes at their highest now, Shami's recent performances against New Zealand haven't been entirely reassuring. There are claims he's out of rhythm, prompting speculation about whether he will be retained for the semi-final against Australia. Reports suggest the management might lean toward incorporating Varun Chakravarthy instead, especially after he claimed five wickets during his debut match against New Zealand.
Given the playing conditions and Shami's performance fluctuations, the management's decision facing them is complex. The pitch at Dubai has been known to aid spinners, and the team might prefer to field four spinners, recalling past tactics against New Zealand which had worked particularly well.
With the Champions Trophy's conclusion closing in, Mohammed Shami's future, health, and performance will determine not just his career’s progression but also India’s fate in the tournament. How Shami copes with the increasing pressures of international cricket remains to be seen, especially with the demeanor of other competitors like Australia creating more urgency.
With every ball bowled and every run scored, the intensity amplifies, pushing players like Shami to find their peak performances. Time will tell if he can reclaim his spot among India’s squad’s ranks or if younger players like Arshdeep Singh will seize the opportunity.
India's ambitions are clear as they head to the semi-finals; how well they navigate their final lineup could be pivotal to their aspirations of bringing home the trophy.