The ongoing friction between Mohammed Shami and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has once again taken center stage ahead of India’s ODI series against Australia. Shami, who was left out of the squad, hit back at Agarkar’s comments about his fitness, delivering a sharp response while representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy match against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens.
The veteran pacer’s exclusion raised eyebrows, especially given his key role in India’s recent Champions Trophy triumph. The selectors’ move to back younger bowlers over the 35-year-old experienced seamer has now ignited a war of words between the two.
Playing for Bengal, Shami showcased his fitness and form, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs in 14.5 overs as Uttarakhand were bowled out for 213 in the first innings. Although he went wicketless in the second innings, his ability to bowl 15 overs in a day was seen as a strong statement against the fitness doubts.
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When asked about Agarkar’s remarks, Mohammed Shami’s response was blunt: “Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled — it’s all in front of your eyes,” he told reporters after play, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Before the Ranji season, Shami also featured for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, where he bowled extended spells, taking 1 wicket for 100 runs in the first innings and going wicketless in the second. These appearances were seen as part of his effort to regain full match rhythm after a series of knee injuries that sidelined him for nearly a year following the 2023 ODI World Cup.
In contrast, Ajit Agarkar, speaking earlier in Delhi, stood by the selection committee’s decision. “If Shami were fully fit, why wouldn’t we pick a bowler of his quality?” Agarkar said, clarifying that the pacer had been dealing with lingering fitness issues. “Over the last six to eight months, we’ve found he wasn’t fully fit. If he stays fit in the next few months, things might change, but he wasn’t ready for the England tour,” he explained.
Since returning to action, Shami has played two T20Is and seven ODIs, claiming 14 wickets at an average of 27.64 and an economy rate of 6.20. He was instrumental in India’s Champions Trophy win, where he featured as the side’s only specialist fast bowler. However, his form dipped during the IPL 2025 season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he managed just six wickets in nine matches at an economy of 11.23 — a performance that likely influenced the selectors’ decision.
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Despite the controversy, Shami remains determined to prove his fitness and reclaim his spot. For now, though, the pacer’s exclusion underscores a generational shift in India’s bowling lineup — one that may mark the beginning of a new era beyond one of India’s finest fast bowlers.
