“I don’t know why he is not playing still” - Mohammad Kaif’s massive statement on Team India star amid IND vs SA 2025 ODIs

Former batter Mohammad Kaif made a massive statement on Team India star Mohammed Shami amid the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. Kaif questioned the pacer's absence with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being rested.
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India won the first game by 17 wickets in Ranchi. It was a batting-friendly surface where the hosts made 349/8 after batting first. South Africa put up a fight as well and got close, being bundled out for 332 eventually. Mohammad Kaif reckoned that Shami was such a bowler who could pick wickets irrespective of the nature of the pitch. He also added that India missed the presence of a senior pacer to guide the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Kishna when the game got tight.
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"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," he said on his YouTube channel.
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Shami last played during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. He has been out of the team following injury and fitness concerns. However, Shami has been actively participating in domestic cricket. He bagged 20 wickets from four matches for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Shami has picked up four wickets from three games in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well.
Mohammad Kaif also praised Harshit Rana for his improved bowling. Harshit provided crucial breakthroughs with the new ball in the first ODI. He returned figures of 3/65 from 10 overs. Kaif highlighted how seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma played a big role on the field as they were seen constantly chatting with the bowlers throughout the game.
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"Harshit Rana bowled on good lengths. He was bowling short, but here he kept his lengths ahead. He made solid use of the new ball. Rohit and Virat were also giving him advice on the field. This is what I am saying, youngsters will do well under seniors, and this has always been the case with Indian cricket. How many times we saw Virat going and talking to Arshdeep and Prasidh. Rohit was giving inputs too. They want India to win even if they are not leading. They don't care about credit. They spoke a lot to the bowlers, and the results were evident," Mohammad Kaif stated.
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The Men in Blue will aim to seal the three-match series in the second ODI. It will be played in Raipur on Wednesday, December 3.
Mohammad Kaif's advise to star India opener after first ODI
Meanwhile, Mohammad Kaif reckoned that star opener Yashasvi Jaiswal should not have gotten out caught behind on a good batting track. Jaiswal was dismissed for 18 off 16 balls. He started well but nicked one behind to the wicketkeeper off Nandre Burger.
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Kaif advised Jaiswal to open the face of the bat completely while playing deliveries outside the off-stump. He gave the example of how Kohli presented the full face and hit some glorious sixes during his impressive 135-run knock.
"Jaiswal will have to work a bit against left-arm pacers. You cannot get caught behind on a good batting pitch. There is some need for improvement in technique. Virat could hit those sixes because he completely presented the face of the bat. Jaiswal will have to do that. He needs to open the face of the bat and play on the line of the off-stump. He is a good batter," Mohammad Kaif said.
The young left-hander will be keen to come back strong in the remaining two matches of the series.
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Edited by Rishab Vm