Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo)

Sourav Ganguly has rejected the suggestion that Mohammed Shami is being overlooked by India's selectors, saying the veteran pacer has already achieved plenty and remains “an absolute champion”.Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy 2025, where he was an important part of the side that won the title. The 36-year-old has continued to feature in domestic cricket during his absence from the national team and on Thursday helped East Zone end a 13-year wait for the Duleep Trophy.Ganguly, speaking to reporters at the Eden Gardens, said Shami's continued commitment to domestic cricket and his performances were particularly encouraging.“What makes me happy for Shami is that he turns out day in and day out in domestic cricket and performs. It is terrific to see. He has achieved so much," Ganguly said.With Shami still producing performances in domestic cricket, Ganguly was asked whether the pacer could force his way back into India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The former India captain, however, felt it was far too early to make such a prediction, pointing out that the tournament is still some distance away.“That's a long way. I can't comment. It's in October (next year). It's a long way," he said.Ganguly was also asked whether he believed Shami was being neglected by the senior men's selection panel.He strongly disagreed, while acknowledging that being left out can become part of a cricketer's career as age advances. Ganguly drew on his own experience of being dropped from India's World Cup plans despite having already crossed the 10,000-run mark in international cricket.“He is not being neglected. He has played a lot. He is an absolute champion. But as you grow older, this happens. When I got left out from World Cup one-day cricket for a year, after scoring 10,000 runs, I found my way to come back. So this happens with everyone.”The comments came on a day when Ganguly also congratulated East Zone on their Duleep Trophy triumph, which ended a long wait for the title.

Ganguly backs Ishan Kishan for Test return

Ganguly also had words of praise for East Zone captain Ishan Kishan, whose performances in the Duleep Trophy have strengthened his case for a possible return to India's Test side.The CAB president revealed that he had spoken to Kishan on Thursday and backed the wicketkeeper-batter to keep targeting Test cricket.“I spoke to Kishan this afternoon. It's terrific and remarkable. Every young player wants to play Test cricket, and hopefully he will. He played exceptionally well in all the finals of the Vijay Hazare, Syed Mushtaq Ali, and Duleep Trophy.”Ganguly stressed the importance of Test cricket for young players and highlighted Kishan's ability to produce runs when the stakes are highest.“If he performs, I think for every young player Test cricket should be important. They must want to play Test cricket and hopefully he will. He gets runs in big matches.... Vijay Hazare final, Mushtaq final, Duleep Trophy final.”Kishan's last Test appearance for India came against the West Indies in July 2023. Since then, he has been working his way back into contention, and his latest run of performances has given his Test ambitions another boost.