Mohammed Shami’s prospects of returning to India’s ODI squad for the 2027 World Cup have come under renewed discussion after former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik said that the team has moved beyond the experienced fast bowler.
Karthik’s comments came shortly after India completed a 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies. Although India won the series, the final match exposed concerns about the bowling attack. India posted 351 runs in the third ODI, but the West Indies chased down the target with five wickets in hand.
West Indies captain Shai Hope produced a remarkable unbeaten 162 to guide his team to the successful chase. The performance raised questions about India's bowling depth, particularly with Jasprit Bumrah unavailable for the series.
The result has once again brought Shami's name into the discussion. The experienced pacer has been outside the Indian team since the 2025 Champions Trophy. Despite his absence from international cricket, Shami has continued to play domestic cricket and remains an experienced option with a strong record in ODI cricket.
However, Karthik believes India should continue looking forward rather than return to an older combination.
According to Karthik, India has already moved beyond Shami and there is no need to go back to the veteran pacer for the 2027 World Cup. At the same time, he acknowledged Shami's quality and experience as a cricketer.
The comments have generated debate because India's bowling performance against the West Indies was not convincing, particularly in the final ODI. India had a substantial total of 351 runs to defend, but the West Indies completed the chase with 10 balls to spare.
Hope was the main reason for the successful chase. The West Indies captain remained unbeaten on 162 and became the first West Indies men's batter to score more than 150 while successfully chasing in an ODI. The knock also helped the West Indies record their highest successful ODI chase.
India's bowlers struggled to maintain pressure after taking an early wicket. Mohammed Siraj provided an early breakthrough, but the Indian attack could not prevent Hope and his teammates from building a strong partnership.
The performance highlighted an issue that has been discussed throughout India's preparation for the 2027 World Cup. With Bumrah unavailable for the series, the team has been assessing several younger and developing pace options.
Players such as Anshul Kamboj, Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi have received opportunities as the selectors look for alternatives. Their inclusion indicates that the team management is interested in building bowling depth rather than depending exclusively on established senior players.
This approach could be one of the reasons behind Karthik's assessment of Shami's situation. India may want to use the remaining time before the 2027 World Cup to give younger bowlers enough international exposure.
Shami, however, has not disappeared from competitive cricket. He has continued to feature in domestic cricket and has shown that he remains capable of performing at a high level.
Earlier, former India captain Sourav Ganguly also discussed Shami's future and rejected the suggestion that the fast bowler was being deliberately neglected. Ganguly described Shami as an experienced champion but said it was too early to predict whether he would make India's 2027 World Cup squad.
Shami's experience could still make him an attractive option if India's younger bowlers fail to establish themselves consistently. He has extensive experience in international tournaments and has previously played an important role in India's major ODI campaigns.
The 2027 World Cup will be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, making pace bowling an important part of India's preparations. Conditions in South Africa in particular can offer assistance to fast bowlers, while the ability to take wickets at crucial stages can be decisive in a 50-over tournament.
For that reason, the debate over Shami's potential comeback is unlikely to disappear immediately.
The main question for the selectors will be whether India's younger bowling options can develop sufficiently before the World Cup. If they establish themselves over the next year, the argument for recalling an experienced player such as Shami could become weaker.
On the other hand, if India continues to struggle for wickets or control without Bumrah, the selectors may once again consider experienced alternatives.
The West Indies series provided evidence for both sides of the argument. India won the series 2-1 and showed considerable strength with the bat. Shubman Gill scored a double century in the second ODI, while KL Rahul also produced an important century in the third match. However, the bowling attack could not defend a total of 351 in the final game.
The contrasting performances underline the importance of building a balanced squad. A team preparing for a major tournament needs several reliable bowling options because injuries, workload management and form can all affect selection.
Bumrah remains a central figure in India's bowling plans, but his availability and workload will have to be carefully managed. The team therefore needs other bowlers who can take responsibility when he is unavailable.
Karthik's comments suggest that he believes India should invest in its next generation rather than depend on Shami's return. His assessment does not mean that Shami has been officially ruled out of the 2027 World Cup squad. Final selection remains the responsibility of the BCCI selectors and team management.
Shami's international record and domestic performances mean that he remains a player capable of entering the selection discussion if circumstances change. However, his absence from the national side since the 2025 Champions Trophy shows that the current selection strategy has moved in a different direction.
The coming months will therefore be important for both Shami and India's bowling unit. Shami will need to maintain his fitness and performances, while India's younger pacers will have to demonstrate that they can handle international pressure consistently.
India's 2-1 series victory over the West Indies ultimately provided a positive result, but the five-wicket defeat in the final ODI showed that the bowling department still requires attention.
Whether that leads to a return for Shami remains uncertain. For now, Karthik's view is that India should continue with its current transition rather than go back to the veteran pacer.
With the 2027 World Cup still ahead, there is time for the selection picture to change. Shami's performances, the development of younger bowlers and the availability of senior players such as Bumrah will all influence India's final World Cup combination.
