Mohammed Shami has earned his name as one of India’s premier fast bowlers, especially in ICC Cricket World Cups. The ICC World Cup 2027 will take place on South Africa’s uneven, bouncy wickets, where the balls come in faster. Few bowlers have performed under pressure in the World Cup on the big stage and have taken wickets like Mohammad Shami in a crucial match-deciding moment.

Mohammed Shami was the top wicket-taker with 24 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.70 and led India to the World Cup 2023 Final at Ahmedabad. Mohammed Shami was not seen in the ODI squad for several reasons, such as long-term injuries and getting older, which led Indian selectors to choose a young bowler over Shami.

The BCCI selection committee has been in favor of giving a chance to young blood bowlers for the upcoming World Cup. Indian Selectors have given more chances and time to select pacers like Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj to prepare for the ICC World Cup cycle. In this case , Will India miss Mohmmad Shami in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2027? If so , why so?

Why India will miss Mohammed Shami’s bowling in the World Cup 2027

Uneven and Lateral Swing in South African Soil

The ICC World Cup 2027 will primarily be hosted in South African venues, where wickets offer lateral movement and uneven bounce, and the ball comes much faster than in India. Mohammed Shami is a right-arm bowler, as South African pitches provide extra support to Right-arm bowlers. His ability to swing the ball in and out from right- to left-hand bowlers makes him useful on pitches like those in South Africa .

Mohammed Shami has been a nightmare for right-handed batters, taking 143 ODI wickets and 63 wickets against left-handed batters.

Breakthrough Specialist

India had lost the India vs England ODI series because the Indian bowlers took early breakthroughs, but in the middle overs they were inefficient. The phase from 11 to 40 overs in ODI cricket is when matches are usually won or lost . Indian bowlers like Siraj, Gurnoor Brar, and Prasidh Krishna take wickets with the new ball or in the death overs but are ineffective in the middle overs. But Mohmmad Shami relies on adapting his bowling tactics to pitch conditions and on playing mind games with batters.

Most Dominant Wicket-taker in World Cups

World Cups put bowlers under pressure on the big stage and require fortitude in performance. When India needed an early breakthrough on the big stage, the eyes of the captain always found Shami; Shami always performed and, with his bowling experience, took quality wickets.

Mohammed Shami’s overall performance in the World Cup

Mohmmed Shami Best Bowling figure in World Cup 2023 against New Zealand (7/57 Runs)

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Last Updated on August 5, 2026 by Aditiya Sharma