Mohammed Shami Slams Ajit Agarkar over Non-Selection for Australia Series, says he isn’t Injured

Mohammed Shami stated he values domestic cricket, and would commit to playing the Ranji Trophy whenever he is not included in the Indian team.

Mohammed Shami Slams Ajit Agarkar over Non-Selection for Australia Series, says he isn’t Injured

Mohammed Shami slammed Ajit Agarkar for his non-selection in India squad, despite being fit. (via NDTV Sports)

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Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami slammed the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for his non-selection and prolonged absence from the national team setup. Shami refuted doubts over his fitness, while asserting that it is not his responsibility to provide updates on his well-being. 

Mohammed Shami has been a proven match-winner for India across all the three formats of the game, having featured in 64 Tests, 108 ODIs and 25 T20Is. The high point in Shami’s career was at the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup, where he finished as the leading wickets taker with 24 scalps in just seven innings. Shami stands strong with over 450 wickets combined across all formats, at an average close to 25. 

Despite the surreal numbers, Shami has seemingly found himself out of the national team setup for a while now, due to his recurring ankle and knee injuries. The 35-year-old last played for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy in March, but has since then been left out of the squads for the England tour, the Asia Cup, and the home serie against West Indies. Shami has also been excluded from white-ball tour to Australia, starting this month. 

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had reasoned that Shami was omitted due to the fewer matches he has played. The Bengal-pacer however, hit back, noting that he has been fit all the while, and that the BCCI had in fact failed to communicate with him regarding his fitness issues.

Shami pointed out that if he were truly struggling with an injury, he would be at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, instead of playing domestic cricket. He told the reporters:

Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal. If I can play four-dayers [Ranji Trophy], I can also play 50-overs cricket.

Shami went on to state that selection in the Indian team remains out of his hands, and subtly mocked Agarkar by noting that it is not his responsibility to keep the selectors informed or updated about his fitness. Nonetheless, despite the recent snub, Shami expressed confidence in his abilities and hopes to make his way back into the team, while also stating that he values domestic cricket highly. 

About giving an update, it’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update. It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare and play matches.

The 35-year-old pacer is a part of the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led Bengal squad for the Ranji season. Prior to this, Shami last played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2025 IPL season, before turning up to feature for East Zone in the 2025 Duleep Trophy. 

Mohammed Shami makes fiery Ranji return, scalps three wickets in one over in statement to selectors

Ace India pacer Mohammed Shami kicked off his Ranji Trophy campaign in style, picking up a crucial three-wicket haul in Bengal’s match against Uttarakhand. Shami’s impressive display was a clear indication to the India selectors, who have kept him out of the team for a while now.

Mohammed Shami Ranji Trophy
Mohammed Shami picked up three wickets in an over on his Ranji Trophy return. (via Hindustam Times)

Shami has been included in Bengal’s playing XI for the Group C opener against Uttarakhan at the Eden Gardens. After opting to bowl first, the home side successfully reduced the visitors to 213 runs all out within 72.5 overs on the first day of play. This success was primarily driven by a brilliant four-wicket haul by Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal, supported by three wickets each from Ishan Porel and Shami.

Shami’s 14.5 over spell was the most interesting one, as he scalped all his wickets in the final over. His first wicket was Janmejay Joshi, who was bowled out for an individual score of just five runs. While the 35-year-old could not complete a hat-trick, he next picked up the wicket of Rajan Kumar, caught by keeper Abhishek Porel, before hitting Devendra Singh Bora’s stumps off the fifth ball of the 73rd over. 

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami’s numbers in first-class cricket are staggering, with the right-arm pace bowler having played 90 matches since 2010. He has picked up 340 wickets at an average of 27.31, including 18 four-wicket and 12 five-wicket hauls. 

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