Ex-India cricketer takes Ajit Agarkar’s side, justifies Mohammed Shami's brutal snub
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Former India and Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has shared his views on the non-selection of veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami in the Indian side and the ongoing debate surrounding it. He has differentiated Test cricket from domestic cricket and backed Ajit Agarkar by challenging Mohammed Shami's fitness again.
The trouble between Indian pacer Mohammed Shami and the current chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has been evident in recent times. After Shami was snubbed from the Australia and South Africa series, the bowler himself slammed the selectors for claiming the selection is due to a lack of fitness.
Shami has proved his fitness over the last few months, as he played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and bowled long spells, while he returned to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and picked a lot of wickets. Shami played 7 games in 2025 and picked up 16 wickets, averaging around 14.
Deep Dasgupta justifies Mohammed Shami's continuous non-selection
Former Bengal wicket-keeper Deep Dasgupta has shared his perspective on the much-debated non-selection of pacer Mohammed Shami. The 35-year-old veteran last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy, where he was the joint-highest wicket-taker.
During his appearance on the YouTube channel, KADAK, Deep Dasgupta stated that there is a massive difference between domestic cricket and International Test cricket. He claimed that a bowler can simply sit out after the bowling spell in domestic games, which is not the case in Test cricket. He also claimed that bowling is not the only proof of fitness.
“Look, there is a huge difference when you talk about a Test match. You have to stay on the field for 90 overs, you have to bowl three spells, and no one is going to let you go off the field."
"So when we talk about fitness, it is not just about bowling fitness. This is something we need to understand a little. Right? In first-class cricket, it can happen that you bowl a spell and then go and sit down. But in international cricket, no one will allow you to sit out,” Dasgupta said from the YouTube channel.
"You could just use a computer," Dasgupta opines selection is not only about stats
The former Indian wicket-keeper continued and said that the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy will be an opportunity for the ace pacer to prove his fitness standards.
“I mean, if someone is fit enough to stay on the field for 50 overs and bowl 10 overs in three spells, then from that perspective the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be important in terms of fitness," said Deep Dasgupta.
According to the wicket-keeper, people often check on the number of wickets through websites, but selections are not made only as per stats; otherwise, selectors would not be needed.
"Usually, the problem is that we go to a website and check how many wickets someone has taken or how many runs they have scored. That is a different approach altogether. If that is the case, then selectors are not even needed.
"You could just use a computer, look at who the top four wicket takers are and who the top six batters are, and pick them,” he added.
"Sometimes numbers can be misleading” - Former Bengal wicket-keeper values quality over quantity
He also claimed that going by numbers can be deceptive, and a bowler of Mohammed Shami's experience and calibre can pick up wickets blindfolded; hence, that should not be the category for selection.
“So in my view, it is important to look at quality. Against whom has the performance come, and how has it come? At what pace is the bowler bowling?" said Dasgupta.
However, he claimed before selections, this should be taken into consideration if Mohammed Shami is bowling at the level required for international cricket. If he is ready for that level, then undoubtedly he is a class-apart bowler.
"But my point is that you should not judge only by the numbers. Sometimes numbers can be misleading,” Deep Dasgupta concluded.
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India National Cricket Team India vs South Africa Ajit Agarkar Gautam Gambhir Mohammed Shami Deep DasguptaAbout the Author
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