Mohammed Shami’s coach has criticized the Indian team’s national selectors for not keeping him in the Test squad and claimed that they may have moved on from the great fast bowler. However, he has backed the Bengal pacer to make a shocking comeback in the game.
It is being told that Sunrisers Hyderabad has decided to release experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami after a bad season. Although this seemed unfair from the perspective of many analysts, he is slowly getting back to his old ways.
Sunrisers will receive an additional amount of Rs 10 crore from the release of the cricketer. However, he has not been selected in the Indian team since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, when he was the joint-highest wicket-taker for India.
Mohammed Shami’s coach criticizes Indian selectors for ignoring the fast bowler
Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has once again been dropped from the Indian team for the two-match Test series against South Africa by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. Mohammed Shami’s coach Mohammed Badruddin has criticized the Indian selectors for ignoring the fast bowler.
“My view is simple – they are ignoring him, that’s obvious. There is no other reason that I understand. He is not unfit – when a player is playing Test matches, taking 15 wickets in two matches, he does not look unfit out of nowhere. I don’t think he is unfit.
“The selectors are ignoring him, that’s all. Why they are doing so, only they can tell. But I really thought he would be picked for this series because it is in India and only two fast bowlers will be playing anyway,” he was quoted as saying by IndiaToday.
The coach believes that the selection of Mohammed Shami could have reduced some pressure on Jasprit Bumrah. He also said that his fitness is top notch and this could help in reducing Bumrah’s workload.
“Still, he should have been in the team. It would have helped in reducing Bumrah’s workload – because Bumrah can’t play three-and-a-half Tests in a row. They should have kept Shami in the rotation, I think,” Badruddin said.
Shami’s coach raised questions on selection metrics
Badruddin questioned the selectors’ strategy in choosing the Test team. He said that they are using T20 metrics and claimed that they should consider selection based on Ranji Trophy performance.
“I think they have made up their mind that they will not pick him right now, and in my view, that is completely wrong. When you select a Test team, it should be based on Ranji Trophy performance. If you are selecting for Tests using T20 metrics, then that is not right.”
“You should look at who is performing well in Ranji, and select from there. But here, it seems like the decisions are already decided – they already know which players they want, and they just stick to that list.”
Mohammed Shami took 15 wickets in the first two Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal, and the coach has claimed that the selectors first used Shami’s lack of game time and ultimately his fitness as an excuse to drop him.
“So all this talk about performance or fitness is just an excuse. To say ‘he is unfit’ or ‘needs match practice’ – that is not true. They already have a plan as to who they want to play and who they don’t,” Badruddin said.
Mohammed Shami’s explosive comeback
Despite accepting the fact that Shami has been dropped from the Indian team several times, it seems they have moved on from him. Badruddin believes that Shami is still capable of making a comeback in the Test team.
“Of course, he can make a comeback. In fact, I am confident that he will. And when he does, he will make such a comeback that everyone will go silent. One day or the other, they will have to play him. If you are not picking him now, despite his form, then stop saying things like “we pick based on performances” – because that is clearly not true.
Badruddin said, “In my view, he deserves a 100 per cent comeback and I am sure he will get this chance. The entire country is behind him and watching his performance. You cannot ignore someone who has done a lot for India, especially in the World Cup.”
Also read: SRH release list for IPL auction released; Senior players made sacrifices