Imagine a star cricketer, once the hero of India's triumph in the Champions Trophy, feeling sidelined and firing shots at the selectors who decide his fate. That's the drama unfolding around Mohammed Shami and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar—it's a clash that has cricket fans buzzing and questioning the tough choices in team selection. But here's where it gets controversial: Is fitness really the only barrier, or is there more to this story of inclusion and exclusion in Indian cricket?
Recently, Mohammed Shami publicly criticized the BCCI selectors for overlooking him during India's white-ball tour of Australia. The pace bowler argued that his participation in Bengal's Ranji Trophy games clearly demonstrated his fitness, and he shouldn't have to personally inform the selection committee about it. Shami, who previously shone for India in the Champions Trophy where he was the top wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy, has been grappling with persistent issues like ankle and knee injuries. These problems escalated to the point of requiring surgery after the 2023 World Cup, making his comeback a challenging journey.
In response, Agarkar addressed Shami's remarks during a panel at the NDTV World Summit 2025 on Friday. He firmly stated that if Shami had been fit, he would have undoubtedly made the squad. Let's break this down a bit for newcomers to cricket: the Ranji Trophy is India's premier domestic first-class cricket competition, involving matches that test a player's endurance over several days, so performing well there is often seen as a strong indicator of readiness for international play.
Agarkar elaborated further, saying he'd be open to discussing it directly with Shami. 'If he mentions that to me, I'd respond accordingly. I'm not entirely sure about his exact words on social media, but if I checked, I might even reach out—my phone's always available for players, and we've chatted multiple times recently. I don't want to stir up headlines, though,' Agarkar noted carefully. He praised Shami as an outstanding contributor to Indian cricket and suggested that any grievances could be resolved through private conversation. Reflecting on the past, Agarkar pointed out that before the England tour, the selectors had expressed the same sentiment: Shami would have been included if he were fit. Alas, he wasn't, and now with the domestic season underway, it's an opportunity to monitor his progress.
And this is the part most people miss: Agarkar emphasized that after observing the first few Ranji Trophy rounds, the team might reconsider. 'Why wouldn't you want a bowler like Shami if he's performing strongly? Over the last six to eight months, even during the Australia series, we really wanted him there, but his fitness held him back. If he stays in shape moving forward, things could change dramatically. Right now, though, he wasn't ready for the England tour.'
Looking ahead, India is gearing up for a thrilling series Down Under, kicking off on October 19 with three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five T20 Internationals. For cricket beginners, think of ODIs as 50-over games that blend strategy and excitement, while T20s are fast-paced, 20-over thrillers decided in about three hours. This tour marks the comeback of legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the national team, their first international appearances since the March 2025 Champions Trophy final—a moment that cemented India's status in global cricket.
But let's stir the pot a little: Some might argue that selectors sometimes prioritize younger talent or political maneuvers over proven stars like Shami, even when fitness isn't an issue. Is Agarkar's focus on fitness a fair and transparent criterion, or could there be underlying biases at play? What do you think—should Shami get another chance based on his domestic form, or is the selection process wisely cautious? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree with Agarkar's stance or see it differently!
