Shahbaz Nadeem out of Team India
Shahbaz Nadeem out of Team India: India’s talented left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, like his teammate Ravindra Jadeja, Nadeem had the potential to establish a long and successful career representing Team India. However, the selectors dashed his aspirations in one fell swoop. Nadeem played his last Test match for India in February 2021 during the five-match Test series against England. Interestingly, it was during this series that Akshar Patel made his Test debut for India, and it was that introduction that almost closed the doors of the Indian Test team for Nadeem. As a result, the emergence of Akshar Patel has taken a toll on the Test career of the aspiring cricketer, making his return to the national team almost impossible.
Shahbaz Nadeem, like Jadeja, deserved a long stay in the Indian Test team. Unfortunately, his career has suffered a major setback. The 33-year-old left-arm spinner played his last Test match against England in Chennai from 5 to 9 February 2021. Since then, Nadeem has been absent from the Indian Test team, slowly fading into the background. He has played only two Test matches for India, during which he claimed 8 wickets.
The rise of Axar Patel proved to be a turning point, sounding the death knell for Nadeem’s Test career. Axar Patel made his Test debut against England in Chennai from 13–17 February 2021, immediately after Nadeem’s last appearance. Patel quickly established himself as a key member of Team India with exceptional performances. In just 12 Test matches, Patel has already amassed an impressive haul of 50 wickets. Unfortunately for Nadeem, this surge in Patel’s form severely limited his chances of making a comeback. However, it is worth noting that Nadeem has an excellent record in first-class cricket. With 489 wickets in 126 matches at an average of 28.71, his talent and ability are undeniable.
Nadeem made his international debut for Team India in a Test match against South Africa at Ranchi on 19 October 2019. On his debut, he displayed his skills by taking 4 wickets against the Proteas. Apart from his Test career, Nadeem has also featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL), playing in 72 matches and taking 48 wickets. However, he last played in the IPL in 2021 for Royal Challengers Bangalore. In the following year’s IPL, he was part of the Lucknow Super Giants team but did not get the opportunity to showcase his abilities on the field.
Shahbaz Nadeem’s unfortunate journey highlights the ruthless nature of cricket and the fierce competition for places in the national team. While the emergence of Akshar Patel undoubtedly limited Nadeem’s chances, it is important to acknowledge Nadeem’s talent and achievements in domestic cricket. His consistent performances in the first-class field demonstrate his ability to excel at the highest level. As cricket continues to evolve, players like Nadeem must remain flexible and capitalize on opportunities that may arise in the future.
