Mohammed Shami exposes Ajit Agarkar’s lies, breaks silence on Australia tour snub

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami dismissed rumours surrounding his fitness and has claimed that he is match-fit despite being snubbed from India's ODI or T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Mohammed Shami last featured for India in the 50-over format back in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The veteran pacer is the highest wicket-taker for India in the history of the ICC tournaments, as well as the 50-over ODI World Cup.

He was also India's best bowler in the last two ICC 50-over events. Shami played in the 2023 ICC World Cup and was the highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets, and then returned to play for India after 1 year and was again the joint-highest wicket-taker for India in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

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“Whether I get selected or not is not in my hands.... But I am ready,” claimed Shami

In a recent candid statement on a YouTube channel, the 35-year-old veteran Indian pacer stressed that although a selection decision is not in his control, as it lies with the selectors, captain, and coach, he reiterated that he is match-fit and ready to don the national colours.

“Whether I get selected or not is not in my hands. The decision of selection is taken by the selection committee, the captain and the coach. If they want to select or give more time, it’s in their hands. But I am ready,” said Shami.

The veteran pacer has hence dismissed rumours of him being unfit for the upcoming contest. Mohammed Shami has not been picked for the upcoming white-ball tour to Australia. Addressing such concerns, Shami said that his recent domestic outings included a Duleep Trophy appearance where he bowled 35 overs, which proves his physical rhythm.

“My practice is going well, my fitness is going well. I’ll try to do much better because the more time you spend away from the ground, you need to be motivated more. You have to do more hard work,” he added.

Mohammed Shami's statement contradicts Ajit Agarkar's statement

Mohammed Shami's statement was in contrast to what the Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said when he was asked about the veteran pacer's absence from India's white-ball squads. Agarkar said that there were no such updates, as he highlighted that Mohammed Shami needs more match practice before a comeback.

"I don't have an update. I think he has not played a lot of cricket in the last 2-3 years. I think he's played one match for Bengal and one for the Duleep Trophy. So as a performer, we know what he can do, but he will need to play some cricket," Agarkar explained.

Despite being one of the most experienced as well as one of the finest under Australian conditions due to his ability to bowl bouncers at sheer pace, Shami was not picked for the highly anticipated Australia series.

Shami is picked to play for Bengal in the upcoming Ranji Trophy

However, Shami has some positive signs of a return to competitive cricket, as he has been named in Bengal's squad for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, which begins on the 15th of October.

The side will be led by seasoned top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who has been snubbed of a chance to feature for India despite being part of the previous squads in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as well as the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

With a packed domestic season and Mohammed Shami's statement making it clear that he's not done yet, he is ready to star for India in early 2026 as they have a packed international schedule.

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