Sanju Samson & Mohammed Shami in line for India’s Afghanistan squad — What their IPL 2026 numbers say
The two veterans , Sanju Samson and Mohammed Shami, are in line to make into the Indian squad for the home series against Afghanistan in ODIs and Tests after the IPL 2026.
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The two superstars, Sanju Samson and Mohammed Shami, are expected to return to the Indian side during the home Afghanistan series in the white-ball and red-ball formats, respectively, after the end of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will convene on May 19 to finalize the two squads.
Although the one-off Test falls outside the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2025/27 cycle, the blue brigade is eager to continue their preparation for the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Two IPL centuries, a T20 World Cup POTT, and still no ODI call since 2023 — Samson’s case is impossible to dismiss
Samson has already been part of the ODI side for the Shubman Gill-led side, where he featured in 14 innings and smashed 510 runs at an average of 56.66 and a strike rate of nearly 100, thanks to three half-centuries and one century at the best score of 108 runs against South Africa.
The wicket-keeper batter, featuring for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in this IPL season, has earned 450 runs in 12 innings at an average of 50 and a strike rate of 164.23, shouldering on two centuries and one half-century at the best score of unbeaten 115 runs.
He could be part of the 50-over side as a backup option for Gill and Rohit Sharma. It’s noteworthy that his last 50-over clash was back in 2023 against the Proteas at Paarl.
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Mohammed Shami is also anticipated to mark his return to the Test side of the Indian team, which will take place at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, from June 6 to 10. His last red-ball game was the WTC 2021/23 final against Australia at the Kennington Oval in South London.
The Bengal pacer finished the recent Ranji Trophy 2025/26 as the sixth leading wicket-taker with 37 scalps in 13 innings at an average of 16.72 and a strike rate of 37.37, with three five-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 8/90 in an inning.
Shami has been decent in this IPL 2026 for the Lucknow Super Giants to collect 10 wickets in 12 innings at an economy rate of 8.80.
Afghanistan or England series — Which assignment brings Samson and Shami back into India’s XI first?
Both Samson and Shami will have different assignments in the home Afghanistan series. However, if the former does well in those three games, he could continue to be part of the side for the upcoming England series in July.
Samson will look to use the same form of the IPL 2026 in the national side, while Shami’s role with the new ball in the five-day format will be vital, especially in the potential absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who could be given a break for that series after a hectic IPL and the T20 World Cup 2026.
If Shami does well in this one-off Test, he may continue to be part of the squad for their Sri Lanka series, followed by the New Zealand tour by the end of this year.
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