Mohammed Shami contradicts Agarkar to end rumours: ‘I’m fully fit to play for India. If captain, coach and selectors…'

By Admin

09 Oct, 2025

India’s veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has put an end to swirling rumours about his fitness, asserting that he is completely match-ready and eager to represent the national team again. Despite being left out of India’s T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming Australia tour, Shami made it clear that his exclusion was a matter of selection strategy rather than physical concerns.

Shami clears the air on fitness

In a candid statement shared on his YouTube channel, the 35-year-old clarified, “Whether I get selected or not is not in my hands. The decision of selection is taken by the selection committee, the captain and the coach. If they want to select or give more time, it’s in their hands. But I am ready.”

His statement directly contradicted chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s remarks, who had suggested that there was “no fresh update” regarding Shami’s fitness and hinted at the pacer’s lack of recent match practice. Agarkar had said, “I think he has not played a lot of cricket in the last 2–3 years. I think he's played one match for Bengal and one for the Duleep Trophy. So as a performer, we know what he can do, but he will need to play some cricket.”

A champion bowler defends his rhythm

Responding to such claims, Shami emphasized that he has been actively training and participating in domestic matches. “My practice is going well, my fitness is going well. I’ll try to do much better because the more time you spend away from the ground, you need to be motivated more. You have to do more hard work,” Shami said.

He highlighted that his recent domestic appearances   including a 35-over spell in the Duleep Trophy   prove that he is in rhythm and capable of performing at the highest level.

Recent performances and absence from the squad

Shami last represented India during the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand. He started the tournament on a high with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, but experienced mixed results in subsequent matches. He later rediscovered his touch in the semifinal against Australia, picking up three crucial wickets, and added one more in the final.

Since that final, Shami has not featured for India in any format. His omission from the upcoming Australia tour aligns with the team’s recent focus on rotation and workload management, especially for senior fast bowlers.

Return to domestic cricket

In a promising development, Shami has been named in Bengal’s squad for the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season, starting October 15. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) confirmed that the side will be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, a move that could mark Shami’s strong return to competitive cricket.

Eyes on future opportunities

While his immediate national comeback may depend on team strategies and selection dynamics, Shami’s message was clear   he isn’t done yet. With a busy domestic calendar and the Test series against England in early 2026 approaching, the seasoned pacer’s fitness and form could very well pave the way for his return to India’s lineup.

As one of India’s most accomplished fast bowlers, with over a decade of international experience, Shami’s words carry weight   both as a reassurance to fans and as a subtle reminder to selectors that he remains ready to serve Indian cricket whenever called upon.