Delhi: Team India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami has indirectly targeted the selectors for not getting a place in the team for the upcoming Australia tour. The 35-year-old experienced bowler is being continuously ignored since the 2025 Champions Trophy.

There was no discussion with the team regarding fitness

Shami clearly said that the Indian team management did not talk to him about his fitness. He said, “If I can play four-day red ball cricket, why can’t I play a 50-over match? If I was not fit, I would have been in NCA and not playing Ranji Trophy.”

Joined Bengal team

Shami has been included in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy team, where he will play under the captaincy of Abhimanyu Easwaran. His aim is to attract the attention of selectors by performing well in domestic cricket. His first match for Bengal will be against Uttarakhand from 15th October.

Shami’s claim is contrary to Agarkar’s statement

Shami’s statements are completely different from the comments of selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar, in which he had said that there is no update regarding Shami’s fitness. Agarkar had said, “Shami has played very little cricket in the last 2-3 years. He has played just one match each in the Duleep Trophy and for Bengal. We know what he can do, but he will have to play consistently to be selected.”

Out of the team despite excellent performance

Shami played his last international match for India against New Zealand in the final of Champions Trophy 2025. In that tournament, he made himself one of the joint most successful bowlers of India by taking 9 wickets in 5 matches. Despite this, he was not included in any further series.