Chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Friday addressed Mohammed Shami’s absence from the squad, attributing it to fitness concerns. The veteran pacer, however, appeared unfazed by the comment, responding with a sharp retort: “Let him say whatever he wants.”
Once again, the chief selector’s latest comments have reignited discussion around Shami’s fitness. Before the start of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season, Shami was asked about his fitness and omission from the national team. The right-arm pacer stirred a debate by claiming he was overlooked by the selectors despite being fit.
When Agarkar was asked about Shami’s comments at the NDTV World Summit 2025, he reiterated the same statement he had made while announcing the squad for the Australia tour, saying: “He has been an incredible performer for India. If he said something, maybe that is a conversation for me to have with him, or for him to have with me. But even before the England tour, we said that if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.”
“If he is bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like Shami? But what we have found over the last six to eight months, even during the Australia tour, is that we were desperate to have him, but unfortunately his fitness wasn’t there,” he added. “If he stays fit over the next few months, the story might be different. But at this point, as far as I know, he wasn’t fit enough for the England tour.”
Later on Friday, after the end of play on Day 3 at Eden Gardens, Shami — who is currently playing for Bengal — was asked about Agarkar’s latest remarks. In his trademark style, Shami gave a cheeky reply, saying: “Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled. It’s all in front of your eyes.”
Shami was last seen in action for India during the ICC Champions Trophy, which India won. He then played in the IPL, but was not included in the squad that toured England. The Bengal-based pacer was subsequently ignored for the Asia Cup, the home series against the West Indies, and the upcoming tour of Australia.
The 35-year-old seamer recently featured in the Duleep Trophy but failed to make an impact, as East Zone were knocked out after their first game. Now fully fit, Shami is aiming to play a full Ranji season for Bengal and remains hopeful of a national comeback.
For the latest sports news follow- Revsportz