The simmering tension between veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has reignited, escalating ahead of the ODI series against Australia. Shami, omitted from the squad, has dismissed Agarkar's fitness concerns, asserting his form is evident through his performance in the Ranji Trophy.
The selection panel's decision to favor younger bowlers over the experienced Shami, particularly after his crucial role in India's Champions Trophy victory, has sparked a verbal exchange between the bowler and the selector.
Shami, currently representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy opener against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, responded to reporters' questions about Agarkar's remarks on his fitness. "Let him say whatever he wants. You've seen how I bowled. It's all in front of your eyes," Shami stated, effectively challenging Agarkar's assessment. In the Ranji match, Shami took three wickets for 37 runs in 14.5 overs in the first innings, helping to bowl Uttarakhand out for 213. He also bowled 15 overs in the second innings but did not add to his wicket tally.
Earlier, Agarkar, speaking in Delhi, addressed Shami's omission, stating that fitness was the primary concern. "If Shami were here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why wouldn't we have a bowler like Shami?" Agarkar said, implying Shami was not fully fit. He also mentioned having had multiple conversations with Shami over the past few months and that Shami "wasn't fit to be picked for the England tour".
Shami, however, seems to disagree, suggesting that his participation in the Ranji Trophy, a four-day format, indicates his fitness for shorter formats as well. He criticized the selectors for not consulting with the National Cricket Academy's (NCA) Centre of Excellence, which is responsible for rehabilitating injured players, regarding his fitness status.
This isn't the first time Shami's fitness has been questioned. He played in the ODI World Cup with an ankle injury, which led to him missing the South Africa tour and the home series against England. He later underwent surgery, causing him to miss the 2024 IPL season. Despite this, Sunrisers Hyderabad acquired Shami for a substantial INR 10 crore in the 2025 IPL mega auction, highlighting his value when fit.
Shami's career has been marked by significant achievements. He was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC World Cup 2023 and the fastest bowler to reach 50 wickets in Cricket World Cup history. He also holds the record for the best figures by an Indian bowler in ODIs, with 7 wickets for 57 runs against New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup semi-final. Shami was also a member of the Indian team that won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Agarkar acknowledged Shami's past contributions, stating that Shami had been an incredible performer for India. He reiterated that if Shami were fit, he would be on the team. Agarkar also noted that the domestic season had just started and that the selectors would continue to monitor Shami's fitness.
The ongoing verbal sparring highlights the complexities of team selection and the importance of communication between players and selectors. While Agarkar emphasizes fitness as the deciding factor, Shami is keen to prove his readiness through his on-field performances. The situation remains dynamic, and Shami's performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season could significantly influence his chances of returning to the Indian squad.
