IND vs SA 2025: Don't know why Shami is still not playing: Former India batter feels Men in Blue are missing the veteran

Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Mohammed Shami's presence in the current Indian setup could have benefited youngsters like Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna. Shami hasn't featured in an international game since India defeated New Zealand to win the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

In the ongoing ODI series, India have a young pace attack, comprising Arshdeep, Harshit, and Prasidh. The three pacers had played a combined 37 ODIs heading into the assignment. With veterans like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being rested in this series, Kaif feels that Shami would have been the ideal person to guide the young fast bowlers on how to bowl when under pressure.

"The question is valid. No matter what kind of pitch it is, a bowler like Shami does not care if it is flat. He has so much class that he finds ways to pick wickets there as well. I don't know why he is not playing still, because Bumrah and Siraj have been rested. The young pacers would also benefit from his presence. There is no senior pacer to tell the likes of Prasidh, Harshit, and Arshdeep what to do under pressure. India missed this," said Kaif in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.

In the first ODI, which was played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, the Indian batters fared brilliantly, with Virat Kohli starring with a 120-ball 135. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma also scored important half-centuries as India posted a mammoth 349/8 after being invited to bat first.

In reply, the Proteas lost two wickets in the second over as Harshit dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in quick succession. Arshdeep also struck in the fifth over to send Aiden Markram packing. Tony de Zorzi and Dewald Brevis departed after getting starts as the tourists lost half their side for 130 runs in the 22nd over.

However, Matthew Breetzke, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch scored fluent half-centuries to keep South Africa in the hunt. The inexperienced fast bowlers took a bit of tap towards the back end, but in the final over, Prasidh dismissed Bosch as India won by 17 runs.