Shami’s Sharp Rebuttal: ‘I Can Also Play’ After Shocking Australia ODI Snub

Mohammed Shami, India’s lethal pace spearhead, has fired a pointed yet composed response to chief selector Ajit Agarkar following his controversial omission from the ODI squad touring Australia. The pacer, fresh off a stellar World Cup performance, made his stance clear during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy practice session: he is fit, ready, and more than capable of representing the nation in the white-ball format.

“I Can Also Play”: Shami’s Message to the Selection Committee

Addressing the media at the Eden Gardens practice nets, Shami didn’t mince words. His now-viral retort, “I can also play,” has sent ripples through the cricketing world, seen as a direct response to Agarkar’s public comments about the pacer’s fitness and availability .

“If I wasn’t fit, I’d be at the NCA. But I’m here, training with Bengal for the Ranji Trophy. That should be proof enough,” Shami stated, effectively countering the narrative that his fitness was a concern . He emphasized that the onus of communication lies with the selectors, not the player. “It’s not my job to give the selectors updates about my fitness,” he added .

The Selection Saga: What Led to the Snub?

The BCCI’s decision to leave Shami out of the 15-man squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia has been met with widespread surprise. His performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, had cemented his place as a key asset in the Indian bowling attack.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had previously cited a need to manage workloads and look towards the future as reasons for the exclusion of senior players like Shami and Ravindra Jadeja . However, Shami’s visible presence in intense domestic training has cast doubt on the validity of the fitness argument.

Shami’s Recent ODI Record: A Force to Reckon With

To understand the magnitude of this snub, one must look at Shami’s recent white-ball dominance.

Year	Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy
2023	10	24	18.58	4.71
2022	6	15	19.60	4.85

His ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, especially with the new ball, makes his absence a significant loss for the team’s bowling depth in Australian conditions.

What’s Next for Mohammed Shami?

For now, Shami has channeled his focus back to domestic cricket, suiting up for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. This move serves a dual purpose: proving his fitness on the field and keeping his competitive edge sharp. He awaits any formal communication from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) or the selection committee regarding his future with the national team .

His situation raises a critical question for Indian cricket: how does the team balance the experience of proven match-winners with the need to blood in younger talent? For Shami, the answer is simple—he’s ready whenever his country calls.

Sources

• Times of India: ‘I can also play’: Shami fires back at Agarkar
• ESPNCricinfo: Shami on fitness updates