Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has urged the BCCI selectors and team management to have an open and honest discussion with senior pacer Mohammed Shami regarding his international future.
Shami’s omission from the upcoming Test series against South Africa has raised questions, especially given his fine form in the Ranji Trophy, where he has picked up 15 wickets in three matches for Bengal.
“Someone like Mohammed Shami should be having – I mean, the selectors and the team management should have a very honest conversation with him. What’s the plan going forward? Whether they want to pick him or whether they are looking at the young players,” Pujara said during a media interaction ahead of the first Test in Kolkata.
Pujara added that if the management has decided to move ahead with younger options, Shami deserves to be informed so he can plan his future accordingly.
“If he is being informed that they are not looking at him, then it is always Shami’s personal call whether he wants to carry on playing first-class cricket, whether he still wants to – I mean, he is part of the IPL as well. So, he would want to carry on playing cricket,” Pujara said.
He further stressed the need for clarity and transparency between the management and the player.
“The communication from the team management has to be very, very clear and it should be very honest conversation and Shami should be part of it,” he added.
Shami last featured for India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Addressing his omission, India captain Shubman Gill said, “Sometimes it’s difficult for players like Shami bhai to miss out. It’s never easy when someone like Shami bhai has tomiss out, but at the same time, we have to plan ahead.”
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