The frustration is palpable. Veteran India fast-bowler Mohammed Shami has once again put the national selectors squarely on the mat following his omission from the white-ball squad for the upcoming tour of Australia. Speaking on the eve of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy opener against Uttarakhand, Shami pointed to his readiness to play four-day domestic cricket as the most straightforward evidence that he is fit enough for the fifty-over format.
He has put behind all the rumours of him being unavailable due to fitness concerns. He said if he’s ready to play the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, he is also fit enough to play 50-over cricket, which is India’s next assignment in Australia. The BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar didn’t give much of an update on Shami when he was asked about his exclusion from both of India’s white-ball teams. Instead, India brought back Mohammed Siraj in ODIs, while Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna are there as well.
Mohammed Shami questions his exclusion
For a bowler who has battled surgeries, endless rehab sessions and the ticking clock of age, Shami’s frustration is understandable. The 35-year-old, who was India’s joint-highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy earlier this year, now finds himself on the outside looking in. Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Shami pointedly remarked,
“I have said this before… Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal,” Shami told reporters at the Eden Gardens. He continued, cutting straight to the heart of the matter: “I think I do not need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers (Ranji Trophy), I can also play 50-overs cricket,” referring to the ODIs and T20Is against Australia starting October 19th.
The 35-year-old will lead Bengal’s attack in their Ranji Trophy opener against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens. The squad also have other talented stars like Abhimanyu Easwaran, Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar.
‘Not my job to give updates’
Perhaps the most pointed part of Shami’s outburst was his unequivocal rejection of the idea that he is responsible for informing the selectors of his fitness status. He emphasized that the system, which requires the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to issue fitness certificates, should be followed.
“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,” Shami said bluntly. “My job is to go to the NCA (National Cricket Academy), prepare and play matches. Woh unki baat hai unko kaun update deta hai, kisne nahin diya (That’s their matter who gives them updates or not). It’s not my responsibility.“
Shami’s recent appearance for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy didn’t inspire confidence, with him taking a single wicket across 34 overs. Add to that a string of fitness issues, including ankle surgery that sidelined him for 14 months, and the picture turns grimmer. When he made his much-awaited comeback, Shami took his time to get in the groove. But soon, he had a terrible IPL 2025 for the SunRisers Hyderabad, managing just 6 wickets in 9 games at a horrible economy rate of 11.00.
But we all know that he is a lion-hearted character. If one can speak through his performances, it is Shami, who has a golden opportunity to show that there is still that zip and spice to his bowling. He will be a handful in the Ranji Trophy.
The post ‘If I can play Ranji Trophy…’: Mohammed Shami once again blames selectors for his snub appeared first on Inside Sport India.
