Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj: Controversy arose in Maharashtra over the selection of Muslim players in Team India.

Under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team is in the fight for a place in the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup 2026. Meanwhile, a new controversy has emerged in Maharashtra politics regarding the selection of Team India. Political rhetoric started when fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj were not included in the playing XI. AIMIM and Samajwadi Party leaders alleged that these players were not being given opportunities in the team because they were Muslims.

Allegations of AIMIM and Samajwadi Party

Mufti Ismail, AIMIM MLA from Malegaon, said, “Muslims are being ignored in every field and even in Team India, players are not getting opportunities because they are Muslims.” He also said that this could be a reason for India’s 76-run defeat against South Africa. After this, Samajwadi Party’s Maharashtra and Mumbai President Abu Azmi also alleged, “Under the BJP rule, Muslims are being discriminated against in many places and if this is happening in cricket too, then it is a serious matter. It is possible that Siraj and Shami have been kept out of the team because of being Muslims.”

Reaction of opposition and political leaders

At the same time, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and Minority Department Head Idris Naikwadi termed the allegations as false. He says that in the past too, Muslim players like Mohammad Azharuddin and Mansoor Ali Pataudi have been part of Team India and have also become captains, hence it is wrong to bring religion into the game. Congress leader Amin Patel said that selection in the team is based on performance and merit and such statements are irresponsible. Maharashtra government minister Bharat Gogawale also said that selection in Team India is completely based on ability and circumstances and doing Hindu-Muslim politics is like creating a rift in the society.

Condition of Mohammed Shami and Siraj

India’s experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been out of Team India for a long time. He last played in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025. After this he performed brilliantly in domestic cricket, but did not get a place in the team. Mohammed Siraj was not initially selected in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, but was included in the squad after the injury to Harshit Rana. He performed brilliantly in the match against America and took 3 wickets.

Team India probable playing XI

Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Tilak Verma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakraborty, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson.