Former India chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has publicly addressed the absence of star pacer Mohammed Shami from the England series, attributing it to fitness concerns. Interestingly, he remained tight-lipped regarding Shami’s exclusion from the highly anticipated Australia ODI series.
Shami’s last appearance on the international stage was during the Champions Trophy final. Subsequently, he featured in nine matches of the IPL 2025 season before a debilitating injury compelled him to pull out. After a three-month hiatus from the sport, Shami made his comeback in the Duleep Trophy, playing for East Zone against North Zone. Despite bowling 34 overs, he could only secure a single wicket. Despite widespread anticipation for his inclusion in the Australia ODI squad, the speedster was surprisingly left out.
Responding to queries about his exclusion, Shami emphatically stated to PTI: “Selection isn’t in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I should not be here playing for Bengal. I think I don’t need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.”
At the recent NDTV World Summit, Agarkar addressed Shami’s remarks directly: “If he says that to me, I will answer that. If I read what he said, I will give him a call. I have had multiple chats with him over the last few months. If he said something, that is a conversation for me to have with him.”
Agarkar further elaborated on the situation: “If he were fit, he would have been on that plane to England. The domestic season has just started, and we will see if he is fit enough. We were desperate to have him for the Australia tour, but he wasn’t fit. If he is fit over the next two months, the story might change.”
When the ODI team was announced, the chief selector had stated he had no update on Shami’s condition. Shami, in turn, sharply countered: “About giving an update, it isn’t my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update. It isn’t my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare and play matches.”
As of now, Mohammed Shami is actively involved in the ongoing Ranji Trophy tournament.