Shami's concern for India before the ENG tests

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed concerns over Mohammed Shami’s form and wondered if he was ready for England series. The veteran pacer, who returned to action earlier this year after spending over a year on the sidelines, hasn’t had a great run in IPL 2025 so far. Shami has been quite expensive and ineffective so far, having taken just six wickets from 9 matches.

Chopra wonders if Shami will fire in England

As per ESPNCricinfo, Chopra pointed out that it wasn’t like Shami had returned from injury only recently, explaining that his poor form persisted despite him playing cricket for months now. Pointing out at Shami’s woeful form in IPL 2025, Chopra wondered if the veteran pacer will be a part of the five-match Test series against England, and even if he is then what impact could he make.

“Of course, [SRH] A story. The other one is England tour. All of us [at the] Border-Gavaskar Cup, [Jasprit] If Bumrah was alone, there was no Shami, and if Shami were Shami, how would work be different. But will he be Shami [in England] question. And what kind of Shami?Chop Chopra said.

Shami has conceded 337 runs from 180 deliveries and has an economy rate of 11.23. The pacer hasn’t been able to bowl consistently in terms of lengths and pace. Earlier in March, reports stated that the selectors would keep a close eye on Shami before taking a call on the England tour and that they weren’t keen on planning the tour around him.

“This tournament is such that it doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re not delivering the goods, you will be taken to the cleaners. And right now, what I see with Shami is, pace down is one bit, second is not enough balls getting bowled in the same area. Mohammed Shami was always that. That is his only strength [and]extraordinary,Chopra added.