Mohammed Shami’s India return? R Ashwin drops major hint after Bhuvneshwar Kumar comeback

Mohammed Shami could soon find his way back into the India squad, according to former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who believes the change in the selection setup may open the door for the veteran pacer.India recently announced their squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which follows the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. The biggest talking point from the selection was the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the national side after a four-year absence.The squad was also the first selected after Ajit Agarkar completed his stint as chief selector. With Agarkar no longer part of the setup, Ashwin feels India could be moving towards a greater reliance on experience, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah's workload being managed regularly.Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin suggested that the change in approach could benefit Shami as well."The chairman of selectors is set to be changed. Ajit Agarkar is no longer a part of the setup. Maybe Ajit focused more on youngsters and newcomers. But now you see, without Bumrah, India's bowling attack can be a little susceptible. The BCCI is now leaning towards experience. The fact that they have picked Bhuvneshwar (Kumar), I wouldn't say that the door is shut on (Mohammed) Shami either. But I am extremely happy that Bhuvneshwar has broken down the door for his selection," Ashwin said.Shami last represented India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand in March last year. Since then, the pacer has not been selected to play for India in any format.His absence from the national side had also led to repeated exchanges between Shami and Agarkar over his non-selection. Agarkar had previously indicated that Shami was not fully fit, but the pacer showcased his fitness by playing domestic cricket and regularly picking up wickets.The 35-year-old has an extensive international record, having played 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is for India. He has taken 229 wickets in Tests, 206 in ODIs and 27 in T20Is.With Bhuvneshwar's return signalling a possible shift towards experience, Ashwin believes Shami's return may not be far away either.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.