Win Projections to be updated soon
New Delhi, 18 October 2025:
India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Friday that fast bowler Mohammed Shami was not picked for the upcoming tour of England due to fitness issues but remains in contention for future selection once he proves his fitness.
Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025, Agarkar addressed questions following Shami’s comments expressing disappointment over his omission despite playing domestic four-day cricket for Bengal in the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy.
“Selection is not in my hands,” Shami told PTI earlier this week. “If there’s a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal. I don’t need to create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers, I can also play 50-over cricket.”
Responding to that, Agarkar said, “If he says that to me, I’ll probably answer that. I mean, if he was here, I would do that. I’m not quite sure what he said on social media. Maybe if I read that, I might give him a call — my phone is always on for most players. I’ve had multiple chats with him over the last few months, but I don’t want to try and give you a headline here.”
Agarkar praised Shami’s contribution to Indian cricket, saying, “He has been an incredible performer for India. If he said something, that’s a conversation for me to have with him. Even before the England tour, we said if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.”
Shami, currently playing for Bengal in the opening round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy at Eden Gardens, picked up three wickets in Uttarakhand’s first innings but went wicketless in his second spell across 15 overs.
Agarkar said the selectors would continue to monitor Shami’s progress through the domestic season. “Our domestic season has just started, so we’ll see if he’s fit enough and where it goes,” he said. “If he’s bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like Shami? But over the last six to eight months, even during the Australia tour, we were desperate to have him, but unfortunately his fitness wasn’t there. If he stays fit over the next few months, the story might be different.”
Agarkar reiterated that Shami’s absence was due to medical reasons, not form. “As far as I know, he wasn’t fit enough for that England tour,” he said.
