Mohammed Shami, a fast bowler, has reacted to top selector Ajit Agarkar’s assertions that the former’s inability to stay fit was the reason he was left off the Indian squad for the forthcoming white-ball tour of Australia. Shami most recently represented East Zone in a Duleep Trophy quarterfinal match. Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Shami made it apparent that she was physically fit and that he felt totally in control and in sync when bowling during the Duleep Trophy match. In the Duleep games, when the East Zone lost to the North, he also said that despite bowling for extended periods of time, he did not experience any difficulty at all.
“I am also rather fit. Since you need to stay motivated when you are off the ground, I will make an effort to do better. The Duleep Trophy is where I competed. My rhythm was good, I bowled about 35 overs, and I felt extremely at ease.
“I have no fitness problems,” Shami said in a video posted to his YouTube page.
Before considering a call-up to the international team, selector Agarkar had earlier urged Shami to get playing time during a squad selection announcement ahead of the forthcoming tour of Australia.
“I have no updates at this time. In the past two to three years, he hasn’t played a lot of cricket, I believe. He has, I believe, participated in one Bengali game and one Duleep Trophy match. So, we know what he can do as a performer, but he needs to play cricket,” Agarkar had said.
During the 2023 World Cup, Shami led India in both wicket-taking and overall. Over the course of seven games, he claimed an incredible 24 wickets. However, he was out of the picture for nearly a year due to a lengthy ankle injury sustained during the tournament and the recuperation period.
The Champions Trophy 2025 was when the right-armer was selected. He played a pivotal role in the team’s drive to the title. He did not, however, have any memories of his time with the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2025. The Amroha native’s costly economy rate of 11.23 allowed him to take just six wickets in nine games.
India
