The burning question on every cricket fan's mind: Why wasn't Mohammed Shami on the Australian tour? The saga continues as BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar responds to Shami's recent criticisms regarding his exclusion from the team's white-ball tour of Australia. Shami, a proven match-winner, had earlier suggested that his participation in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal was proof enough of his fitness, implying that it wasn't his responsibility to constantly update the selection panel. He even seemed to question their assessment of his condition. Remember, Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy, where he was a leading wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy. However, a series of ankle and knee injuries, culminating in surgery after the 2023 World Cup, have plagued his career.
But here's where it gets controversial... Agarkar addressed Shami's comments head-on at the NDTV World Summit 2025. According to Agarkar, Shami's absence boils down to one simple factor: fitness. "If he was fit, he'd be in the team," Agarkar stated plainly.
Agarkar elaborated, saying, "If he says that to me, I will probably answer that. I mean if he was here, I would probably do that. I am not quite sure what he said on social media. Maybe if I read that, I might give him a call but my phone is always on for most players. I have had multiple chats with him over the last few months, but I don't want to try and give you a headline here." This suggests that communication lines are open, but perhaps not as clear or frequent as Shami might prefer. Agarkar seems to imply that a direct conversation would be more productive than public pronouncements.
And this is the part most people miss... Agarkar emphasized Shami's value to the Indian team. "He has been an incredible performer for India," Agarkar acknowledged. He further explained the selection process, stating, "Even before England, we said 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 if he is fit enough and we will see where it goes. This is the first round of Ranji games that is going on. We will find out in a couple of more games. If he is bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like a Shami." He pointed out that the selectors were eager to include Shami even during the Australia tour prior to his surgery, but his fitness simply wasn't up to par.
Agarkar offered a glimmer of hope: "If he does stay fit over the next few months, the story might be different. But at this point, as far as I know, he wasn't fit enough for that England tour." This suggests that Shami's future with the team hinges entirely on his ability to regain and maintain peak physical condition.
India is gearing up for a series of matches against Australia, including three ODIs and five T20Is starting October 19th. The series marks the return of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket, their first appearance since the Champions Trophy final back in March 2025. This comeback adds another layer of excitement to the tour, but the Shami situation continues to loom large.
So, here's the question: Do you think Shami's comments were justified, or should he have handled the situation differently? Is the selection panel placing too much emphasis on current fitness, or is that a reasonable expectation for international-level cricket? And, perhaps more controversially, could there be other factors at play that aren't being publicly discussed? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
