Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has fired a sharp retort at the national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, over repeated questions about his fitness and availability for white-ball cricket. The fast bowler, currently in red-ball action for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, made it clear that keeping selectors updated on his physical condition isn’t his responsibility—and that his performances on the field should speak for themselves.
After being left out of India’s recent T20I and ODI squads, Shami didn’t mince words. “It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness,” he stated bluntly during a media interaction in Kolkata. “I’ve been training consistently, bowling full throttle in domestic cricket, and my fitness is absolutely normal. The rest is up to the selectors.”
The 34-year-old has been clocking speeds in the high 130s km/h for Bengal, delivering long, probing spells that suggest he’s far from done. Yet, his absence from India’s white-ball setup—especially with the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon—has raised eyebrows among fans and experts alike.
Mohammed Shami remains one of India’s most lethal bowlers in high-stakes matches. His performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he took 24 wickets in just 7 games at a stunning average of 18.12, was nothing short of heroic. His ability to swing the new ball and execute yorkers at the death makes him a rare dual-phase asset in limited-overs cricket.
| Match | Overs | Maidens | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengal vs. Jharkhand | 22.0 | 6 | 58 | 4 | 2.63 |
| Bengal vs. Tripura | 18.0 | 5 | 42 | 3 | 2.33 |
These figures underscore a bowler in peak rhythm—far from the “fitness concerns” some pundits have speculated about.
Chairman Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel have not publicly clarified why Shami continues to be overlooked for white-ball squads despite his domestic form and past heroics. While the BCCI often cites “workload management” and “long-term planning,” Shami’s comments suggest a growing frustration with a lack of direct communication.
“I’m always ready,” Shami added. “If they need me, I’ll be there. But I can’t chase them for a spot. My job is to bowl—and I’m doing that.”
Cricket analysts like Harsha Bhogle and Sunil Gavaskar have publicly questioned the omission. On social media, #BringBackShami trended across India after his latest Ranji performance, with fans arguing that experience and proven match-winning ability shouldn’t be discarded so easily.
With India’s pace attack facing transition—Bumrah carrying a heavy load, Siraj inconsistent in ODIs, and young guns still untested in pressure situations—Shami’s presence could provide crucial balance and mentorship.
All eyes are now on the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the IPL 2025 auction. A strong showing in either could force the selectors’ hand. For now, Shami remains focused on Bengal—and on letting his bowling do the talking.
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