# Ex-selector backs Mohammed Shami return for World Cup 2026-10-15T20:41:18+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets Former India chief selector MSK Prasad has backed Mohammed Shami for a return to the national side, urging selectors to consider him for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Prasad spoke after Bhuvneshwar Kumar was recalled for the T20I series against New Zealand starting Thursday, 22 October, his first India call-up since 2022. NDTV reports Prasad cited Shami’s performances in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 World Cups as reasons for his inclusion. Former bowling coach Bharat Arun also supported Shami, saying he does not need to prove himself again. Bhuvneshwar’s recall follows 45 wickets across two IPL editions for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. New Indian Express reports former New Zealand pacer Tim Southee said Bhuvneshwar ‘knows his game better than he ever has’ and his experience will help the next generation. The India tour of New Zealand begins with the first T20I on 22 October. ## Indian Opinion Analysis NDTV focuses on the debate over Shami’s exclusion, giving prominent space to calls from Prasad and Arun for his return. New Indian Express focuses instead on Bhuvneshwar’s form and the tactical reasons for his recall, including quotes from batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and Tim Southee on experience and conditions in New Zealand. The two outlets are covering the same selection event but frame it differently: one spotlights a veteran’s perceived snub, the other spotlights a veteran’s justified comeback. A reader combining both gets the full picture: Bhuvneshwar’s IPL record earned his place, while Shami remains a contender on past World Cup form, with the selectors yet to announce the next squad. ## Coverage Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral - ndtv.com (neutral report) Reports ex-selector and coach backing Shami, no editorialising - newindianexpress.com (neutral report) Focuses on Bhuvneshwar recall reasons, no slant This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Tags: 2027 ODI World Cup, Bharat Arun, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, MSK Prasad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ex-selector-backs-mohammed-shami-return-for-world-cup/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ex-selector-backs-mohammed-shami-return-for-world-cup/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/