Sourav Ganguly advocates for Mohammed Shami's comeback in Tests after Kolkata loss; ‘I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening’

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has advocated for Mohammed Shami's return in the Test side after Shubman Gill's side suffered a humiliating loss to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens inside three days on Sunday. Chasing 124 runs on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch, the Indian team were restricted to 93/9 to lose the game by 30 runs.

Captain Shubman's neck injury also had an impact on India as the 26-year-old could only play three balls for his four runs before being hospitalised. Had Shubman was available to bat, the story would have been different.

Shami has been a vital cog for India across formats over the years. The last time the Bengal pacer played a Test match was in 2023 during the World Test Championship final against Australia. Post the 2023 ODI World Cup, Shami spent more than a year on the sidelines before returning in 2025.

Since his return to Indian team, Shami was snubbed in the Test series against England (away) and home series against West Indies. When asked about Shami's omission, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the 35-year-old pacer didn't have enough game time.

Currently the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Ganguly wanted Gambhir to have faith on Shami along with the duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. “I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well in the 2011 and T20 World Cups.

"He will continue for a while, but he must play on good pitches in India. He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami," Ganguly told Sports Tak. “I think Shami deserves a place in this Test team. Shami and the spinners will win Tests for him," added the former BCCI president.

Since returning to the domestic circuit this season, Shami has been in fine form, picking up 17 wickets in four matches with an average of 17.35.

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'PLAY ON GOOD WICKETS'

Ganguly also said that Gambhir and the Indian team management should play on good tracks and keep the pitch out of the game. The former India captain also told the coach to try and win Tests in five days instead of looking for a quick finish.

“Play on good wickets. I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening. He needs to take the wicket out of the game. Because if his batters aren’t putting up 350–400, he will not win Tests," Ganguly said.

“That is the reason they won in England, because their batters put runs up on the board. He must play on good wickets. And trust his people. And win Tests in 5 days. Not in 3 days."

India will face South Africa in the Guwahati Test, starting on November 22.