Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has weighed in on chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s comments on his fitness, stating that he is fully fit and ready to play for India. The 35-year-old, who has been left out of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, questioned the selectors’ communication process while insisting that his participation in the Bengal Ranji Trophy opener is proof enough of his fitness.
After announcing India’s limited-overs squads for the tour of Australia, Agarkar had revealed that there was no new update on Shami’s fitness. He said the pacer had not played much competitive cricket in recent years, barring brief appearances in the Duleep Trophy and domestic matches. However, Shami has worked his way back through domestic cricket after recovering from Achilles tendon surgery.
The Indian fast bowler, who last represented India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, has been named in Bengal’s squad for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season starting October 15. While Agarkar insisted that the selectors were waiting for clarity from the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Shami made it clear that he believes he has been unfairly sidelined. Speaking at Eden Gardens ahead of Bengal’s Ranji opener against Uttarakhand, Shami directly addressed the issue and said the communication gap was not on his side.
“I have said this before. The selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness problem, I should not be here playing for Bengal. I think I don’t need to speak about this and create a controversy. If I can play four-day (Ranji Trophy), I can also play 50-overs cricket. As far as giving an update is concerned, it is not my responsibility to give an update or to give an update to ask. It is not my job to provide updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare and play matches. That’s their business who gives them updates or not. It is not my responsibility,” Shami told reporters.
Keep fighting, keep playing games: Shami
The pacer further said that if he is not selected, he will continue to play for Bengal and fight for his place in the national team.
“Keep fighting, keep playing matches. If you perform well, you will also benefit. The selection is not in my hands. I can only prepare and play matches. I have no objection. If you don’t select me, I will come here and play for Bengal. I have no problem with it,” Shami added.
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