Former India cricketer Suresh Raina believes Mohammed Shami could soon return to the national team, following the comeback of his former teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has earned a recall at the age of 36.Raina credited Bhuvneshwar’s discipline, hard work and commitment to his fitness for his return to the Indian side, expressing confidence that Shami could also be back in contention after making an impact in domestic cricket.“Making it to the Indian team at the age of 36 shows character. He has been a very disciplined bowler and a very process-driven guy who has worked really hard on his body,” Raina said while speaking at the jersey launch of the Indian Soft Ball Cricket League.Raina was equally optimistic about Shami’s prospects, pointing to his performances in domestic cricket and suggesting that a return to the national team could be around the corner.“Absolutely, I think he (Mohammed Shami) has done well and played good domestic cricket too. Now it is Bhuvi’s turn, aur Shami bhi aa rahe hai piche piche, tension mat lijiye (Shami is also right behind him, so don’t worry),” Raina added.Shami last featured for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy, while his most recent appearance in Test cricket came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. Since then, the fast bowler has continued to play domestic cricket and is set to represent Bengal in their opening fixture of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season.However, his recent IPL numbers have been a concern. Shami has managed just 18 wickets in 22 matches across the 2025 and 2026 seasons, conceding runs at an economy rate of 10 per over.Bhuvneshwar, meanwhile, has demonstrated how skill and precision can compensate for a lack of outright pace in the shortest format. Although his gentle pace might appear to put him at a disadvantage, particularly on flat pitches, his ability to swing the new ball and execute variations at the death has helped him remain effective.The right-arm pacer was particularly effective in the PowerPlay and death overs, claiming 25 wickets in overs 1-6 and another 18 in overs 16-20 across the 2025 and 2026 IPL seasons.Bhuvneshwar took his game to another level in IPL 2026, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 28 scalps at an economy rate of 8.07. He was one of the key figures in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign, helping the franchise secure back-to-back titles.Those figures put Bhuvneshwar ahead of Josh Hazlewood, Jofra Archer and Mohammed Siraj in the two key phases of the innings, underlining the value of his control and experience.His return to the Indian team has also offered a reminder that sustained discipline and an understanding of a bowler’s role can keep the door open to international cricket. As Raina suggested, Shami could be the next experienced pacer hoping to make a similar comeback.
