Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami has once again shocked the cricket world, but this time not with the ball, but with his sharp words for the current Indian cricket team management. Mohammed Shami hinted at a conspiracy behind his being dropped from the Indian team for the Australia tour.
The veteran Indian fast bowler has been sidelined for the upcoming three-match ODI and T20I series in Australia citing fitness concerns and form. Now, Shame has launched a fresh attack on the think tank by exposing the communication gap between him, the selectors and the team management.
He did not talk to me about fitness: Mohammed Shami
The Bengal fast bowler has completely rejected all fitness related rumors. Shami made it clear that he is ready for the match and is eager to move forward. Launching a scathing attack on Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and new captain Shubman Gill, Shami said that if he can play Ranji matches then he is capable of bowling in 50-over games as well.
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Interestingly, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has named Shami in the Bengal squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season starting from October 15 and this proves that he is fully fit.
India Today quoted Mohammed Shami as saying, “The Indian team hasn’t talked to me regarding fitness. I’m not one to tell them about my fitness – they have to ask me. If I can play four-day cricket, why can’t I play the 50-over game? If I wasn’t fit, I would have been in the NCA and not playing here in the Ranji Trophy.”
Ajit Agarkar told why Mohammed Shami’s name was not considered for Australia tour
Shami’s revelations have sparked a new debate, especially as Agarkar has offered a completely different explanation for his ouster. The Indian chief selector recently told reporters that there had been no recent updates on Shami’s fitness, and that he had not played much domestic cricket recently – just one match for Bengal and one match in the Duleep Trophy – and that was why he was not selected.
Agarkar clarified that the Indian selectors want to see the Indian fast bowler playing more regularly before considering him again for national selection.
“I don’t have any updates. He has played in the Duleep Trophy. But in the last two or three years, he has not played much cricket. I think he has played one match for Bengal and one match in the Duleep Trophy. As a performer, we know what he can do, but he has to play cricket,” he said recently.
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It’s not my responsibility: Mohammed Shami on Ajit Agarkar’s fitness report
Responding to Agarkar’s comment, Shami bluntly said that this is not his job. RevSportz quoted him as saying: “Regarding giving updates, it’s not my responsibility to give or ask for. It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to NCA, prepare and play matches. It’s not my responsibility to give updates.”
The 34-year-old fast bowler last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He finished the tournament as one of the leading wicket-takers, but despite his strong performances, he was dropped from the team citing his fitness issues.
With a long home season ahead and an important Test series against England in early 2026, Shami now has the perfect platform to silence his critics.