Cricket: “No issues with my fitness” - Mohammed Shami responds to India selection snub for England, Australia tours
by Geoffrey Ejiga
Shami Dismisses Fitness Claims, Citing Ranji Trophy Availability
When you’re talking about one of the most lethal pacers in the world and a guy who single-handedly ripped through batting line-ups at the last World Cup, his name is the first you expect to see on any Indian squad sheet. So, when Shami’s name was missing for the Test and white-ball teams, murmurs around his fitness and match readiness erupted. Stay updated with cricket predictions from our experts who account for player absence, fitness, and injuries.
However, Shami didn’t waste any time in shutting down those rumours. During his recent media address while preparing to turn out for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, Shami delivered a clear message, basically saying the selectors and the Indian team management are getting their information wrong. "I have said this before. Selection is not in my hands," the pacer stated, "but if there is a fitness issue, I shouldn't be here playing for Bengal."
To be fair, Shami has a point. If a bowler is fit enough to endure the rigours of four-day first-class cricket, suggesting he isn't ready for a 50-over ODI series seems a bit thin. Instead, the real qualms seem to be with the messy communication, or maybe the lack of it.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had reportedly suggested that he had "no updates" on Shami’s fitness status, a comment that clearly rubbed the fast bowler the wrong way. Shami didn't hold back in his response, making it clear that it's simply not his job to chase down the selection panel with health updates. "It’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update," he retorted. "My job is to go to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), prepare, and play matches."
The Pressure Mounts on Selectors Amid Squad Transition
This whole saga puts Shami in a difficult position. As one of the highest wicket-takers for India in recent times, he’s clearly still passionate about playing for the country. However, at 35, the selectors appear to be prioritising the next generation of pacers, and using ‘fitness’ or ‘workload management’ as a cover for a slow, but maybe necessary transition.
However, the lack of clarity and transparency has got the media talking. They ask why a Champions Trophy winner, who is now proving his fitness in domestic matches (he recently bagged a three-fer for Bengal), is being overlooked? Surely, they say, India can’t ignore a fit and firing Mohammed Shami forever.
This puts immense pressure on the selection committee, who now need to either recall him or offer a clearer explanation for his continued exclusion as the team looks ahead to major global tournaments. The question remains. How long can India afford to keep a match-winner like Shami on the sidelines?
