As the spotlight remains on the Indian Premier League (IPL), the International Cricket Council (ICC) is actively working behind the scenes to restructure international cricket. A significant focus is on revamping the One Day International (ODI) format, which has faced growing criticism for being too favorable to batters. The ICC is now considering changes that could restore some balance between bat and ball—news that could come as a relief to bowlers around the world, including Indian pacer Mohammed Shami.

The current ODI rule, introduced in October 2011, mandates the use of two new balls—one from each end—for the entire 50-over innings. While this was initially intended to maintain the ball's hardness and visibility, it has unintentionally made life difficult for bowlers. Reverse swing, a crucial weapon for pacers in the latter stages of an innings, has almost disappeared. At the same time, spinners have struggled to extract any help, especially on flat, batting-friendly pitches.

Recognizing this imbalance, several cricketers, including Shami, have urged the ICC to reconsider the rule. Their request is to create conditions that once again allow for reverse swing and give bowlers a fair chance, particularly during the middle and death overs. If implemented, the proposed changes could revive the art of reverse swing and bring more excitement and competitiveness back into the ODI format.

See Also: Why umpires are obsessed with bat sizes in IPL 2025? Know the reason behind it

Sourav Ganguly-led committee brings crucial rule change recommendation for ODI cricket 

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has been re-appointed as the chairman of the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee. Joining him on the panel are notable names from the cricketing world, including Hamid Hassan, Desmond Haynes, Temba Bavuma, VVS Laxman—who has also been re-appointed—and Jonathan Trott. The committee represents a diverse mix of cricketing experience across different eras and regions.

Under Ganguly's leadership, the newly formed committee has reportedly submitted several key recommendations to the ICC. Among them is a significant proposal to change an existing rule in One Day Internationals (ODIs), aiming to bring more balance between bat and ball and enhance the competitiveness of the format.

One ball can be used from 35th over

While each innings of the ODI innings now starts with two new balls, it will continue according to the new men's cricket committee, but with some tweaks. At the end of the 34th over, while each ball will be 17 overs older, the bowling side can choose which one of the two balls can be used for the last 16 overs of the innings. The other ball will be kept as the reserve ball in case it is needed.

After this recommendation, each cricket board is expected to bring the feedback by the end of this month. The ICC Annual General Meeting will be organised in July. If the boards give positive signals on this recommendation, it can be formalised in the playing conditions during the ICC AGM. ICC's board approval not required for this, as it is about the playing-condition change.

IPL 2025: Former Australia international Shane Watson feels it was a poor decision from Rohit Sharma that caused Team India to finish the World Cup 2023 as only a runner-up team. Watson was doing his commentary work during the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans match (SRH vs. GT). GT clinched all three points with a solid bowling performance by Mohammed Siraj. According to Watson, if Sharma had utilized Siraj in the 2023 Final properly, India could have been the champions.

Read More: IPL 2025: KKR vs LSG – Eden Gardens stadium stats and Preview

"If Siraj had been bowled in the power play in the 2023 World Cup final, he could have dismissed Head much earlier. It was such a blunder decision from Rohit," Shane Watson said.

India was against Australia in the World Cup 2023 final. The Rohit Sharma-led side was full of confidence as they were the undefeated unit in the tournament. Travis Head played one of his career's best for Australia to shatter the dreams of crores of Indian cricket fans. With his 137 (120), Australia flawlessly got the runs they desired. When Siraj dismissed Head in 42.5 overs, it was too late for India, as Australia had already put the better hand on the game. In the WC 2023 final, Siraj bowled for only 7 overs, took the wicket of Head, had a 6.43 economy rate, and slightly better figures than Mohammed Shami, who was then at the top of his game. Watson feels if Siraj were allowed to bowl early, the table could have been turned.

Siraj's IPL 2025 performance so far

Two back-to-back man-of-the-match performances from Mohammed Siraj. Yesterday was a sweet homecoming for the Indian pacer, who knocked 4 Sunrisers Hyderabad batsmen out only for 17 runs. Siraj is currently on cloud nine after his inspiring bowling figures in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. In Hyderabad, last night the right-arm bowler took 4 wickets, and in Bengaluru, against RCB, he claimed 3 scalps in his four-over quota.

Despite new wicket conditions and away match pressure, Siraj was able to keep his mind cool and deliver, which has produced 9 wickets in 4 IPL 2025 matches so far. Once a regular part of Team India, he was later dropped from the team due to lack of form. Now the scenario has changed completely; Siraj, through his match-winning knocks, has become a fan favorite and a potential contender to make a Team India comeback.

While India and New Zealand both have booked their places for the Semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, their Group A meeting on Sunday (March 2) will mostly be a formality fixture, except for securing their final places in the group stage. Team India is likely to face New Zealand under the new captaincy as Rohit Sharma is likely to take a rest for the game.

While Pakistan is hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India are playing all their matches of the tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai) in the United Arab Emirates. India won both their first two matches by six wickets against Bangladesh and Pakistan. On the other hand, New Zealand started the tournament with a 60-run win against the hosts and defending champions Pakistan and later beat Bangladesh by five wickets. 

On Sunday, India will face New Zealand in Dubai in the last game of Group A as well as the group stage in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Their result will complete the story of who will face which Group B teams in the Semi-finals of the tournament. 

See Also: Rohit Sharma Is Cautious About His Injury

Rohit Sharma likely to miss against New Zealand; Shubman Gill likely to make ODI captaincy debut

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is likely to take a rest from the last Group A match against New Zealand. So, the vice-captain Shubman Gill, who is in outstanding form with the bat, will take the leadership responsibility of the match. Gill has experienced only five T20I captaincies for the nation during the India tour of Zimbabwe 2024, and India won that series by 4-1.

During India's last game against Pakistan, Indian captain Rohit Sharma had a hamstring injury. While he reportedly hasn't batted in recent net practices, he didn't even participate in the throwdown, and the team management has no plan to take any risk on the skipper before the Semi-final. 

Mohammed Shami likely to take rest

Also, the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami is likely to take a rest against New Zealand. During the match against Pakistan, he seemed uncomfortable in the early overs; however, later he was in better rhythm with the ball in hand. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is likely to replace Shami.

Meanwhile, the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is likely to replace the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. So, KL Rahul and Pant both can feature against New Zealand, where Pant can keep the wickets. Rahul is likely to open with the stand-in skipper Gill during their last Group A match.

As India have started their journey in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the Indian right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami has once again shown his true caliber with a five-wicket haul. His bowling influenced the Indian team to control Bangladesh innings even their outstanding sixth wicket partnership.

In the Group A match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Bangladesh chose to bat first against India. Bangladesh lost their first five wickets only for 35 runs in the ninth over, where Mohammed Shami took two wickets.

Mohammed Shami recorded a fifer

Later, Shami dismissed Jaker Ali for 68 runs, which broke the massive six-wicket partnership of 154 runs between Towhid Hridoy and Ali. Shami picked up two more wickets by dismissing Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) and Taskin Ahmed (3) and ended the first innings with the bowling figures of 10-0-53-5. His bowling was a key reason for Bangladesh scoring 228 all out. It was Shami's first match in ICC Champions Trophy history, and he continued his familiar form in the ICC tournament. 

Also Watch: What Rohit Sharma does after dropping Axar Patel's deserving hat-trick chance?

Mohammed Shami set some incredible records during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener

In this match, Mohammed Shami created many records, and some of these records are as follows:

• Most wickets by an Indian in ICC ODI tournament history (60 wickets).
• Joint second fastest bowler to complete 200 ODI wickets.
• Recorded the second-best bowling figures by an Indian in ICC Champions Trophy history. 
• Extended own record for most four-wicket hauls in the premier ICC ODI tournament history (World Cup and Champions Trophy) with nine four-fers. 
• Extended own record for most fifers in the premier ICC ODI tournament history (World Cup and Champions Trophy) with five five-wicket hauls.

Undoubtedly, social media users have praised Mohammed Shami for his outstanding comeback in the ICC tournament. Here are some of the posts from X:

Well done @MdShami11 on your PANCH ka punch 🤛.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 20, 2025

SHAMI SHOW IN CHAMPIONS TROPHY! 🔥

Mohammed Shami breathes fire with the ball, claiming a sensational 5-wicket haul! 🎯💥

Take a bow, Shami! 🏏🔥#INDvsBAN | #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/ywuRljCUmW

— Indian Cricket Team (@incricketteam) February 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami – The Game Changer! 🔥😎#ICCChampionsTrophy #IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/MdSGcHKdNr

— Jiyaul Khan (@JiyaulKhan_) February 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami. Mohammed
Whole year. During ICC
TOURNAMENTS pic.twitter.com/hz7yHalnuo

— POOJA DUBEY (@poojavdubey) February 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami – The Game Changer!

Meanwhile Fans right now 🙏❤️#ICCChampionsTrophy #IndvsBan#ChampionsTrophy2025 #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/80fl9KZont

— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) February 20, 2025

Shami is a true game-changer for India in ICC tournaments. His performance on the big stage is always top-notch! 🔥#ChampionsTrophy2025 #mohammedshami #IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/pfm7LIOQya

— 𝑲𝒐𝒉𝒍𝒊 𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔💤 (@hereforkohli18) February 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami.

He always has been overshadowed by Bumrah but guy kept giving his best for the country and has become one of greatest to play in ICC tournaments. I’m so happy that he’s getting the recognition he deserves now and he should continue this throughout. #IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/hcEbBnO6UM

— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) February 20, 2025

Congratulations Mohammed Shami 🫡#IndvsBan pic.twitter.com/uHXFfxGtlY

— Byomkesh (@byomkesbakshy) February 20, 2025

Mohammed Shami be like...#IndvsBan #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/ExRqyzOuAf

— Chota Chapri 2.0 (@chota_chapri8) February 20, 2025

Mohammad Shami in every icc tournament #IndvsBan #mohammedshami #ChampionsTrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/MGNiKOO4J9

— Shubham (@ShubhamRanga_) February 20, 2025

India, the two-time winners of the ICC Champions Trophy, started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 journey with a comfortable six-wicket win against Bangladesh in the Group A match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (February 20).

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bat first after winning the toss. Bangladesh showed incredible fighting spirits by scoring 228 all out from 35/5, but India comfortably chased down the target in 46.3 overs after losing four wickets. While the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami took a fifer, Shubman Gill scored the valuable unbeaten century.

Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali set up a memorable comeback from 35/5

India took two wickets in the first two overs of the match as Shami dismissed Soumya Sarkar (0) in the first over, and Harshit Rana took the wicket of the skipper Shanto (0) in the next over. Shami then dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz (5) in the seventh over as Shubman Gill grabbed a superb catch at the slip. On his first three balls of the match, Axar Patel took back-to-back wickets of opener Tanzid Hasan (25) and Mushfiqur Rahim (0), but the left-arm spinner just missed out on a deserving ODI hat-trick as Rohit Sharma dropped Jake Ali at slip.  

Later, Hardik Pandya also dropped Towhid Hridoy at mid-off, and both Hridoy and Ali set up a great partnership to bring Bangladesh back into the game. From the tough situation, they built up a 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket, which was also Bangladesh's highest ODI partnership for any wicket against India. 

Ultimately, Mohammed Shami broke that partnership by dismissing Ali for 68 runs (114 balls; four fours) in the 43rd over. Rishad Hossain (18 off 12 balls) had a little cameo before Harshit Rana took his wicket. Without any further partners' help, Hridoy desperately fought hard to guide Bangladesh to a challenging first innings total. Even though he was struggling with cramps, he refused to leave the field till the end. He ultimately scored his first ODI century and scored 100 off 118 balls (six fours and two sixes) at his dismissal, as Rana took his wicket to end the innings. Earlier, Shami completed his fifer by taking the wickets of Tanzim Hasan Sakib (0) and Taskin Ahmed (3).

Shami ended with the bowling figures of 10-0-53-5. Also, Harshit Rana (3/31) picked up three wickets and Axar Patel (2/43) got two wickets. 

Indian openers provided a strong start before facing tough questions

Chasing down the target, India had a good start as the openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill maintained their natural tempo. Before the Indian skipper Rohit was dismissed for 41 off 36 balls with seven fours in 9.5 overs, the openers had a 69-run partnership. However, after the first powerplay, the pitch became tougher for the batters, especially against the spinners and slower deliveries. 

After getting a cautious start, Virat Kohli lost his wicket to Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for 22 runs. Shreyas Iyer (15) and Axar Patel (8) fell cheaply, and the chasing status moved to the tense moment. While Gill was batting calmly, the other batters, especially new batters, were struggling to control the innings. KL Rahul also had a slow start, and he got big luck as Jaker Ali dropped him at deep square leg, and Rahul utilised that luck without any further hiccup. 

Shubman Gill and KL Rahul finished the game comfortably

Slowly but steadily, Gill and Rahul guided India to a comfortable win with their solid unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 87 runs. Rahul was not out for 41 off 47 balls with one four and two sixes, and the Player of the Match Gill scored 101 not out off 129 balls with nine fours and two sixes. It was Gill's eighth but one of the memorable ODI centuries. With this century, Gill also recorded four consecutive 50+ scores in ODI and two successive ODI centuries. 

Among the Bangladesh bowlers, Rishad Hossain (2/38) was excellent along with wicketless Mehidy Hasan Miraz (0/37), while Taskin Ahmed (1/36) and Mustafizur Rahman (1/62) bagged one wicket each. They surely missed one more spinner in the squad, which could make the game more interesting. 

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is on fire for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match against Bangladesh being played at present at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Shami, in his first-ever Champions Trophy match for the Men in Blue, has picked up three wickets till now for the Rohit Sharma-led side. The third wicket of the second game of the Champions Trophy 2025 has made history for Shami, as he has now emerged as India's most successful white-ball bowler in ICC events.

- Most wickets for India in ICC events.
- 2nd fastest to 200 ODI wickets.

MOHAMMAD SHAMI - ONE OF MODERN DAY LEGEND...!!! 🤯🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/5oI5QX9ffn

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 20, 2025

ALSO SEE: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Fakhar Zaman ruled out, Pakistan announce replacement

Shami has bowled out a record 72 Indian batsmen in ICC tournaments (Champions Trophy, T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup).  The 34-year-old fast bowler has 55 ODI World Cup wickets to his name from 18 matches, 14 wickets from 14 matches of the T20 World Cup, and three wickets from a single Champions Trophy match till now. Shami and Zaheer stand second in the top list of Indian bowlers with the most wickets in ICC white-ball cricket, following which are Jasprit Bumrah (68 wickets), Ravindra Jadeja (65 wickets), and Ravichandran Ashwin (59 wickets). Shami surpassed Zaheer Khan's record of 71 wickets. During his playing career, the left-arm seamer claimed 44 wickets in 23 ODI World Cups, 15 wickets in nine Champions Trophy games, and 12 wickets in 12 T20 World Cups.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has contributed another milestone to his storied career by achieving 200 international wickets on Asian soil. Famous for his deadly pace, reverse swing, and capacity to strike at pivotal moments, Shami remains a central player in India's bowling unit across formats.

🚨 𝑴𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑵𝑬 🚨

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami completes 200 international wickets on Asian soil! 🇮🇳🔥

A true match-winner for India 👊#MohammedShami #Tests #ODIs #T20Is #India #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/IKbNYjv12W

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 20, 2025

ALSO SEE: Watch: What Rohit Sharma does after dropping Axar Patel's deserving hat-trick chance?

A Remarkable Feat
Shami's path to 200 wickets in Asia speaks volumes about his consistency and adaptability. As much as subcontinent conditions are thought to be more suited to spinners, Shami has gone against the trend by producing with the ball in red-ball and white-ball cricket. That he has the capacity to induce movement even from slow tracks is what has transformed him into a match-winner on several occasions.

Looking Ahead
With experience and skill being his strong point, Shami will be indispensable to India for future tournaments as well as decisive Test series. With his physical fitness and top form, it is expected that he will collect numerous more wickets in the years to come.

The 34-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has finally returned to the game after more than 14 months. While the Indian captain Sruyakumar Yadav won the toss and chose to field first in Niranjan Shah Stadium (Rajkot) for the third T20I of the five-match series against England, he confirmed the news by announcing his playing XI. 

India are leading the home T20I series by 2-0 after winning the first two matches of the five-match series against England. With one more win, India will secure this home T20I series, while the visitors must win all the remaining three T20Is to win this series, so they can’t afford another defeat in this series. 

Leading the T20I series by 2-0, Indian skipper Sruyakumar Yadav chose to field first once again in the Rajkot T20I. India have made only one change in the playing XI for the Rajkot T20I, where the left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been rested and the right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shami returns to the game. 

Mohammed Shami previously played an international cricket match during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. After that match, where India were heartbroken with a six-wicket defeat.

Although the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has been named in the T20I squad for the ongoing home series against England, he missed out on the series opener at Kolkata on Wednesday (January 22). While the Indian team management isn’t rushing Shami’s international cricket return after more than a year, his present status has been revealed.

Mohammed Shami missed international cricket for more than a year

The 34-year-old Indian pacer Mohammed Shami played his last international match during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia at Ahmedabad. He was out of the game for a year due to an ankle injury, which needed surgery. His recovery took longer than expected, as the right-arm fast bowler missed out on the complete Australia tour, despite returning to domestic cricket.

Since his return to domestic cricket, Shami has shown his outstanding form with the ball. In addition, he played some powerful knocks with the bat. However, Shami has been seen with a heavy strap on his knee, which shows that there is still little threat to his leg status. 

The Indian team management is working regularly with Shami and assuring his smooth return to international cricket, as India have the upcoming challenges of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the England tour of India.

While Shami has been named in the full-member squad for the five-match home T20I series as well as the upcoming home ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it was expected that he would finally return to international cricket in the T20I series opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, he missed out on the Kolkata T20I. 

See Also: "Shami Not 100% Fit": India Star Pacer Weighs in on Pacer's Omission from 1st T20I

Mohammed Shami may miss next two T20Is

According to the latest media reports, Shami looked uncomfortable before the first T20I of the series. Now, RevSportz claims that the right-arm fast bowler is yet to regain his complete fitness. It means that Shami is likely to miss at least the next two T20Is. Chennai and Rajkot will host the next two T20Is on January 25 and 28, respectively. 

The ICC Champions Trophy is back after eight years, and after much deliberation, the competition will begin on February 19th in Pakistan and UAE (only for India matches). India, the past edition's finalist, has officially unveiled their lineup after having supporters wait a little longer than expected, and it is a team with a solid mix of youth and experience.

The Indian Cricket Team announced their tournament team yesterday, and some fascinating and alarming details emerged, sparking much debate and discussion among Indian cricket fans. Taking away the positive aspects of the team, we examine the three players to see who may make an impact in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.