Ajit Agarkar BRUTALLY ATTACKED by Mohammed Shami’s coaches after New Zealand ODIs snub

Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami was not included in India’s ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand, which surprised fans and experts. Shami’s personal coach criticized the selectors and questioned chief selector Ajit Agarkar, asking what more Shami needs to do to return to the Indian team.

The trio of Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna retained their places in the squad, while Mohammed Siraj also made a return for the New Zealand series. However, Mohammed Shami, the leading wicket-taker for Bengal in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, was ignored by the selection committee.

“What More Can a Player Do?” - Mohammed Shami’s Personal Coach Slams Ajit Agarkar

Speaking to India Today, Mohammed Shami’s personal coach questioned the decision and expressed frustration over the lack of clarity. The coach stated that Shami has done enough with his performances and still has plenty to offer at the ODI level.

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"What more can a player do? How many more wickets should the player take? This means that they do not want him in the ODI team. He has a lot to give," the coach told India Today.

Shami is performing well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has taken 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 22.27 and an economy rate of 5.65. The pacer played a key role in Bengal’s recent match against Assam in Rajkot. He scored 25 runs off 11 balls and took three wickets for 55 runs in nine overs.

The Selection Committee Has Done an Injustice to Mohammed Shami - Laxmi Ratan Shukla

Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla questioned the decision taken by the selection panel, calling it unfair. Shukla said that Shami has shown exceptional commitment to domestic cricket, adding that no other senior Indian cricketer has put in similar effort at the domestic level in recent times.

"The selection committee has done an injustice to Mohammed Shami. No international player has played domestic cricket with as much dedication as Shami in the recent past. Even after toiling hard in domestic cricket, what the selection committee has done with Shami is shameful," Shukla said on Saturday (January 3), as quoted by Revsportz.

Mohammed Shami Last Played ODIs for India During the 2025 Champions Trophy

Shami last played ODIs for India during the 2025 Champions Trophy in the UAE, where he played an important role in the title win. After the tournament, he returned to domestic cricket despite fitness concerns.

However, India picked other fast bowlers for the New Zealand ODIs. The selectors chose Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna. Jasprit Bumrah was rested, while Siraj returned after missing the South Africa series.

Shami has played 108 ODIs and taken 206 wickets at an average of 24.05 and an economy of 5.58, including six five-wicket hauls and 10 four-wicket hauls. His career-best figures are 7/57 against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium during the 2023 World Cup semifinal.

Also read: Shubman Gill SAVED Rishabh Pant from ODI axing by blocking Ishan Kishan’s return! Shocking details emerge