Ganguly Backs Shami, Ishan Kishan For India Test Comeback

Sourav Ganguly, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has dismissed claims that veteran pacer Mohammed Shami is being neglected by the Indian selectors. Ganguly stated that Shami, who has been out of the national team since the Champions Trophy 2025, is an 'absolute champion' and has played a lot for the country.

Ganguly's comments came after Shami helped East Zone win the Duleep Trophy, a domestic cricket tournament, after a gap of 13 years. The 36-year-old pacer has been performing well in domestic cricket, which has led to speculation about his possible comeback to the national team.

When asked about Shami's chances of playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup, Ganguly said it was too early to make a prediction. He also drew a parallel with his own experience of being left out of India's World Cup plans despite having scored over 10,000 international runs.

Ganguly also praised Ishan Kishan, the East Zone skipper, for his performances in the Duleep Trophy. He backed Kishan to target a return to Test cricket, stating that the wicketkeeper-batter has played exceptionally well in big matches, including the finals of the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali, and Duleep Trophy.

Kishan last played Test cricket for India against the West Indies in July 2022. Ganguly expressed his optimism about Kishan's Test comeback, saying that every young player wants to play Test cricket and hopefully, Kishan will perform well to earn his place back in the team.

The Indian cricket team has been undergoing a transition phase, with several young players being given opportunities to prove themselves. Ganguly's comments suggest that Shami and Kishan are still in the reckoning for a place in the national team, despite being out of favor in recent times.

Ganguly's experience and knowledge of the game make his opinions valuable, and his comments will likely be closely followed by cricket fans and pundits alike. The debate about Shami's and Kishan's future in the Indian cricket team is likely to continue, with Ganguly's comments adding a new dimension to the discussion.

In the context of Indian cricket, Ganguly's comments are significant, as they highlight the challenges faced by veteran players like Shami and the opportunities available to young players like Kishan. The Indian cricket team's performance in recent times has been a subject of discussion, with many calling for a revamp of the team's strategy and player selection.

Overall, Ganguly's comments suggest that Shami and Kishan still have a lot to offer to Indian cricket, and their performances will be closely watched in the coming months. The road to the 2027 ODI World Cup is long, and several players will be vying for a place in the team. Ganguly's comments have added a new layer of excitement to the debate, and cricket fans will be eagerly waiting to see how things unfold.

The significance of Ganguly's comments lies in the fact that they come from a former captain of the Indian cricket team, who has experienced the highs and lows of the game. His opinions carry weight, and his comments will likely influence the debate about Shami's and Kishan's future in the team.

In conclusion, Ganguly's comments have highlighted the possibilities available to Shami and Kishan, and have added a new dimension to the debate about their future in the Indian cricket team. The coming months will be crucial for both players, as they look to prove themselves and earn a place back in the team.