Mohammed Shami trains - (Source : @ScreenGrab/X.com)
India’s star bowler Mohammed Shami has taken his omission from the Indian team for the upcoming England series seriously, recently sharing a video of himself working out at the gym. The right-arm seamer was seen lifting weights and performing muscle-strengthening exercises, seemingly determined to prove his fitness and readiness for a comeback.
Shami's Fitness A Concern For Team India
India is set to face England on June 20, but Shami has been left out of the squad due to ongoing fitness concerns. The 34-year-old has struggled with injuries, and reports indicate he is currently recovering from an ankle injury, with selectors opting not to rush his return.
Prior to the squad announcement, it was reported that Shami’s fitness was a concern; he struggled to bowl long spells and experienced issues with his breathing pattern after each over. Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami has not been the same. He suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of the year. Upon returning for the Champions Trophy and IPL 2025, he struggled to regain his form in both tournaments.
Gym Video A Hint For Selectors
Following the ankle injury, Shami also developed knee issues, which ruled him out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It has now been more than two years since the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer last played a Test for India. The recent gym video - Watch here- appears to be a message to selectors, signalling that he is fit and eager to return to the longer format.
Despite his efforts, several critics believe this could be the end of the road for the veteran seamer, suggesting it is unlikely he will be seen in red-ball cricket for India again.
Shami Enjoys Time In His Farm Amid India Snub
Mohammed Shami is regular dropping hints that he is fit and ready to play at the biggest stage. Before the gym video, the right-arm seamer embraced family time at his farm. A video shared by Shami himself on his official Instagram handle saw the senior fast bowler bowling with his familiar smooth action in a backyard setting.
The caption to the video was, "A day well spent on the field with family!".