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'I have spoken to the selectors' - Aakash Chopra makes big claim on Mohammad Shami's potential ODI return for NZ series

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has stirred speculation about Mohammad Shami’s potential return to the ODI squad for India’s 2026 tour of New Zealand, claiming he has discussed the matter directly with the selection committee. The five-match ODI series, part of a broader tour featuring five T20Is and two Tests, begins in January 2026, though Shami was initially excluded from both the ODI and Test squads—primarily due to an ankle injury—while making the T20I team.

His last international appearance came in the Champions Trophy 2025 final in March 2025, leaving his future uncertain ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle. Chopra dismissed suggestions that Shami’s omission was tied to Ajit Agarkar’s recent departure as selection chairman, insisting the decision was a collective one.

He noted that discussions about Shami’s inclusion are ongoing but emphasized that any recall would hinge on his readiness rather than personnel changes within the committee. The pacer’s name has resurfaced amid broader squad shifts, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recall to the T20I team, though Chopra cautioned against assuming a direct link between the two moves.

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