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Former India batsman Wasim Jaffer criticized the Indian selectors for not picking fast bowler Mohammed Shami for India’s upcoming one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan next month.
The team for the series was announced on Tuesday.
Mohammed Shami was ruled out of Afghanistan matches, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja were rested.
The selection panel led by Ajit Agarkar announced the squad on Tuesday. Apart from criticizing Shami, many other tough decisions were taken.
Both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were included in the ODI squad, but only if their fitness remained intact. Ravindra Jadeja was rested for the Tests and like Axar Patel, was also dropped from the ODI team.
Jasprit Bumrah was also rested for the series. Shami’s Lucknow Super Giants teammate Prince Yadav was called up to the ODI squad, while Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi was also ignored.
Fast bowler Gurnoor Brar and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey were called up to both the teams, while another left-arm spinner Manav Suthar was called up to the Test squad.
Rishabh Pant was completely dropped from the ODI and in his place KL Rahul was made the vice-captain of the Test team. Shubman Gill remained the captain of both the teams.
On Mohammed Shami being ignored, selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar said that the selectors have been told that Shami is fit to bowl only four overs in a day.
“Yes, I mean no, because as far as we are told, at the moment his body is allowing him to do it… I know he has played the domestic season this year and everything, but the information I have got shows that at the moment, you know, T20 cricket is what he is ready for, yes? I mean, so no, there was no discussion about his name,” Agarkar told reporters.
Mohammed Shami last played an ODI for India in March 2025 and a Test match in June 2023. In IPL 2026, he has taken 10 wickets in 12 matches at a bowling average of 41 and an economy rate of 8.80.
“This is nonsense” – Wasim Jaffer criticizes selectors
Taking to his YouTube channel, Jaffer criticized the selectors for ignoring Mohammed Shami despite his recent performances in domestic cricket and also cited Shami’s past performances for Team India.
Jaffer said, “This is nonsense. A player who has performed well throughout the season, has taken more than 40 wickets – what else can he do? We are not talking about just any player but about Mohammed Shami. A player who has won us many matches. He took us to the 2023 World Cup final. This is insulting to Mohammed Shami. You ask him to play domestic cricket and prove his fitness.”
“You see, this guy comes back from performing, and you say he is only fit for T20s. That’s just an excuse for not picking him. If you don’t consider him then be clear – say, ‘We have overlooked him.’ This would be a fair statement. He is coming from single-handedly taking Bengal to the Ranji Trophy semi-finals, the way he led the bowling,” he said.
“Will you treat Jasprit Bumrah in the same way?” – Jafar
Jaffer also accused the selectors of showing double standards and said that a player like Jasprit Bumrah would never be treated like this.
He said, “For example, what if Bumrah gets injured and then comes back? Would you treat him the same way? Mohammed Shami is also in the same class. Go and ask any international batsman, and they will put him on top. It is disrespectful to the service he has provided to India.”
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