Seasoned Indian pacer Mohammad Shami’s wait for an international comeback continues as he was once again left out of the national side for the two-match home Test series against South Africa. Prior to this, he was also overlooked for the two-match Test series against West Indies, which was also played in India.
Despite his exclusion from the national team, Shami has been in impressive form in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. He has taken 15 wickets in Bengal’s first two matches. In the opener against Uttarakhand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shami registered figures of 3-37 and 4-38, earning him the Player of the Match award. He followed this with figures of 3-44 and 5-38 against Gujarat, also at Eden Gardens.
Amid the continued debate over his non-selection, we compare Shami’s Test bowling statistics with those of South African legend Shaun Pollock. Since Shami has played 64 Tests so far, the comparison is made with Pollock’s stats after he had played the same number of matches.
### Mohammad Shami vs Shaun Pollock: Who Has More Wickets and a Better Average After 64 Tests?
In 64 Tests, Mohammad Shami has claimed 229 wickets at an average of 27.71. Notably, 48 of these wickets have come in 11 matches against South Africa, at an impressive average of 20.93. Against Australia, he has picked up 44 wickets in 12 Tests with an average of 32.09, and 44 wickets in 15 Tests against England at an average of 38.29.
Shaun Pollock, after 64 Tests, had secured 263 wickets at a much better average of 20.80. Of his wickets, 53 came in 14 Tests against England at an average of 23.33. He also took 49 wickets in 10 Tests against West Indies (average 19.32), and 35 wickets in 7 Tests against India with an outstanding average of 16.85.
### Mohammad Shami vs Shaun Pollock: Who Has More Five-Wicket Hauls After 64 Tests?
Mohammad Shami has recorded six five-wicket hauls in his first 64 Tests. His best innings figures of 6-56 came against Australia in Perth in December 2018. He also claimed 5-28 and 5-44 against South Africa in Johannesburg (January 2018) and Centurion (December 2021), respectively. Shami took a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against West Indies in Kolkata in November 2013.
On the other hand, Shaun Pollock had 14 five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul after 64 Tests. His best figures at that stage were 7-87 against Australia in Adelaide in January 1998. Pollock’s other notable performance includes 6-56 against India in Bloemfontein in November 2001. Of his 14 five-fers, four came against West Indies, and two each against England, India, and Pakistan.
### Mohammad Shami vs Shaun Pollock: Who Has a Better Record in Wins After 64 Tests?
Shami has featured in 31 Tests that India have won. In those winning matches, he has picked up 118 wickets at an average of 20.34, including four five-wicket hauls. In 20 Tests that India lost, he took 63 wickets at an average of 36.04, with one five-wicket haul. Additionally, one five-for came in a Test that ended in a draw.
Pollock, in his first 64 Tests, was part of 30 South African wins. In these matches, he claimed 151 wickets at an exceptional average of 17.00, including nine five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. In 12 lost matches, Pollock took 49 wickets at an average of 21.97, with three five-fers. Two of his five-wicket hauls came in drawn matches.
### Mohammad Shami vs Shaun Pollock: Who Has a Better Away Record After 64 Tests?
Mohammad Shami has played 41 away Tests, taking 145 wickets at an average of 30.33, including four five-wicket hauls. In two neutral Tests, the 35-year-old has eight wickets at an average of 33.50. In 21 home Tests, he has picked up 76 wickets at a strong average of 22.10, with two five-fers.
Pollock, after 64 Tests, had played 29 Tests away from home, taking 118 wickets at an average of 22.46, including five five-wicket hauls. At home, he took 145 wickets in 35 matches at an excellent average of 19.45, with nine five-fers and one ten-wicket match haul.
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Mohammad Shami’s consistent domestic performances highlight his readiness for an international recall. However, when compared to a great like Shaun Pollock at a similar stage in their careers, certain differences in averages and match-winning impacts stand out. The debate over Shami’s return to the Indian Test side remains an engaging topic among cricket fans and experts alike.
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