Mohammed Shami declared inferior to Prasidh Krishna as Shubman Gill breaks silence on his India snub

Team India skipper Shubman Gill opened up about Mohammed Shami's absence ahead of the two-match Test series against South Africa at home. The right-handed batter also stated that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, would be in the best position to comment on Shami’s future with the team.

Shami was left out of the 15-member squad for the upcoming series. The fast bowler has been in excellent rhythm in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, taking 15 wickets in just five innings. However, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee ignored the pacer despite him proving his fitness with the red ball.

It's Difficult for Players like Mohammed Shami... - Shubman Gill

Speaking to the media before the opening Test, Shubman Gill admitted that Mohammed Shami is tough to overlook, considering the senior pacer’s exceptional quality. He added that bowlers such as Akash and Prasidh have performed well, which makes selection challenging.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

"I think a bowler of his quality is very few in the country. But you have to take into consideration the bowlers that are playing right now, they have done such a terrific job," Gill said, as quoted by Inside Sport.

"And, you can’t ignore the performances of someone like Akash Deep or someone like a Prasidh Krishna. And we all know what Bumrah and Siraj have been doing in Test cricket. And sometimes it is very difficult that players like Shami (bhai) have to miss," he added

Team India will host South Africa for the Test series, with the first match set to take place at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, starting on Friday, November 14.

Selectors Will Be Able to Give You a Better Answer - Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill declined to comment on Mohammed Shami's future, adding that questions about the pacer’s future should be answered by the selectors.

"Selectors will be able to give you a better answer," Gill said.

Shami has not played a Test since the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia. The veteran pacer is not in the scheme of things at the moment. He has continued to play domestic cricket regularly and has picked up wickets to keep himself in contention.

Akash Deep Preferred Over Mohammad Shami for Home Tests

Mohammed Shami has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests at an average under 28. He has picked up 200 ODI wickets and 27 scalps in T20Is. However, India opted for Akash Deep instead of Shami for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.

India made just two changes from the squad that toured the West Indies. Rishabh Pant returned to replace N. Jagadeesan and Akash Deep came in for Prasidh Krishna. Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the pace attack, with Mohammed Siraj once again a key partner.

Siraj was India’s standout performer in the five-match Test series in England, taking 23 wickets. Bumrah contributed 14 wickets from three appearances, while Akash Deep impressed with a 10-wicket haul in the Birmingham Test.

Also read: KL Rahul-KKR deal not sabotaged! Last-minute shocker ready