“If Shami Was Fit, He’d Be In The Team”: BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar Responds
Mohammed Shami recently criticized the BCCI selectors for leaving him out of India’s white-ball tour of Australia, saying that his performances for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy proved his fitness and that it was not his responsibility to update the selection panel.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the matter on Friday, emphasising that fitness remains the key criterion for selection.
“If he says that to me, I will probably answer that. I’m not entirely sure what he posted on social media, but my phone is always on for players. I’ve had multiple conversations with him over the past few months, but I don’t want to create headlines here,” Agarkar said.
“He has been an incredible performer for India. Even before the England tour, we made it clear: if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. Our domestic season has just started, so we will see how he performs in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. If he bowls well and stays fit, there’s no reason not to have someone like Shami in the team,” he added.
Shami, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy and finished as the country’s joint top wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy, has struggled with recurring ankle and knee injuries that required surgery after the 2023 World Cup.
India’s upcoming series in Australia, beginning October 19, will include three ODIs and a five-match T20I series. The series will also mark the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket, their first appearances since the 2025 Champions Trophy final in March.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
