India Likely to Drop Shami for England Tour; Arshdeep and Anshul Kamboj in Line for Maiden Call-Up: Report

According to recent reports, Team India might leave out experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami from the squad for the upcoming Test series against England. The final team will likely be announced on Saturday, and Shami could miss out due to fitness concerns.

As reported by Express Sports, Shami hasn’t fully recovered after his surgery and hasn’t passed the fitness tests set by the BCCI’s medical team. The selectors are unsure if he can bowl long spells, especially in tough English conditions.

🚨 INDIAN TEST TEAM UPDATE 🚨

- Arshdeep Singh or Anshul Kamboj likely to be picked for the five-match Test series against England. [Devendra Pandey from Express Sports] pic.twitter.com/KOSfY2Sjyo

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 23, 2025

With Jasprit Bumrah also likely to be rested for at least one match to manage his workload, the team wants fast bowlers who are fully fit and can play all five Tests if needed. Because of this, the selectors are looking at some fresh names. Shami’s poor performance in the recent IPL, where he took only six wickets in nine matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad and had a high economy rate of 11.23, also works against him.

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In contrast, young pacers Arshdeep Singh and Anshul Kamboj have caught the eye with their strong performances in domestic cricket. Arshdeep, a left-arm bowler known for swinging the ball both ways, could be a real threat in English conditions. Meanwhile, Kamboj has been impressive in the Ranji Trophy, taking 34 wickets in just 12 innings with his consistent line and length. If picked, this will be the first time both Arshdeep and Kamboj feature in India’s Test squad a big opportunity for the rising talents.