Indian cricket team fast bowler Mohammed Shami has given a befitting reply to chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s comments on fitness. Shami performed brilliantly for Bengal in the Elite Group C match of Ranji Trophy 2025-26 played between Bengal and Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and took a total of seven wickets.
Shami bowled impressively in both the innings in the match against Uttarakhand. He took 3 wickets for 37 runs in the first innings, while in the second innings he took 4 wickets for 38 runs. With this performance, Shami has proven that he is completely fit and ready for the longer format.
Mohammed Shami last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Since then, he has missed the England tour, the Asia Cup and the Test series against the West Indies. He is also not part of the squad for the Australia tour. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said in an interview, ‘If Shami was fit, he would definitely have been part of the Australia tour.’
Expressing his disappointment over being left out of the Australia tour, Shami took a dig at Ajit Agarkar. He said, ‘The choice is not in my hands. If I have any fitness problem, then I should not play for Bengal. If I can play four-day cricket, then I can also play 50-over cricket. I don’t need to say anything more and I don’t want to create any controversy.’
Earlier, Ajit Agarkar had said, ‘Shami will need to play some red-ball matches to get a place in the Test team.’ Shami last played a Test match for India in June 2023. However, he has played only nine international matches since recovering from an injury. Shami’s performance in the Ranji Trophy presents a strong case for his comeback in Test cricket.
