Mohammed Shami's camp releases official statement on his future
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Mohammed Shami's coach has slammed the Indian team's national selectors for not keeping him in the Test team and has claimed that they might have moved on from the legendary pacer. However, he has backed the Bengal pacer to make a startling return to the game.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have also reportedly decided on the release of the veteran pacer Mohammed Shami after a poor season. Though this seemed unreasonable from the point of view of many analysts, he is slowly getting back his old groove.
The Sunrisers will be gaining a surplus amount of INR 10 Crore with the release of the cricketer. However, he has not been selected in the Indian team ever since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, when he was the joint-highest wicket-taker for India.
Mohammed Shami's coach slams the Indian selectors for ignoring the pacer
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has once again been snubbed from the Indian team by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for the two-match Test series against South Africa. Mohammed Shami's coach, Mohammed Badruddin, has slammed the Indian selectors for ignoring the pacer.
"My thought is simple — they are ignoring him, that’s clear. There’s no other reason that makes sense to me. He’s not unfit — when a player is playing Test matches, taking 15 wickets in two games, then he doesn’t look unfit from anywhere. I don’t think he’s unfit.
"The selectors are just overlooking him, that’s it. Why they are doing that, only they can say. But I really thought he would be picked for this series, because it’s in India and only two fast bowlers will play anyway," he said, as quoted by IndiaToday.
The coach feels that Mohammed Shami's selection could have eased some pressure off Jasprit Bumrah. He also said that his fitness is top-notch and could help to reduce Bumrah's workload.
"Still, he should have been in the squad. That would’ve helped reduce Bumrah’s workload — because Bumrah can’t play three-and-a-half Tests in a row. They should’ve kept Shami for rotation, that’s what I feel," added Badruddin.
Shami's coach raises questions on the selection metrics
Badruddin questioned the strategy of the selectors to pick the Test squad. He said that they are using the T20 metrics and have claimed that they should consider selections based on Ranji Trophy performances.
"I think they’ve made up their minds that they won’t pick him for now, and in my view, that’s completely wrong. When you select a Test team, it should be based on Ranji Trophy performances. If you’re selecting for Tests using T20 metrics, that’s not right."
"You should look at who’s doing well in Ranji, and pick from there. But here, it looks like the decisions are pre-decided — they already know which players they want, and they just stick to that list."
Mohammed Shami picked 15 wickets in the first two games of the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, and the coach has claimed that the selectors first used Shami's lack of gametime and lastly his fitness as an excuse to leave him out.
"So all this talk about performance or fitness is just an excuse. Saying 'he’s unfit' or 'needs match practice' — that’s not true. They already have a plan about who they want to play and who they don’t," said Badruddin.
Mohammed Shami to make a startling comeback
Despite admitting to the fact that Shami has been snubbed from the Indian team over several instances, it seems that they have moved ahead of him. Badruddin believes that Shami is still capable enough to make a return to the Test squad.
"Of course, he can return. In fact, I’m fully confident he will. And when he does, he’ll make such a comeback that will silence everyone. One day or the other, they’ll have to play him. If you’re not picking him now despite his form, then stop saying things like “we select based on performance” — because that’s clearly not true."
"In my view, he deserves 100 percent to be back, and I’m sure he’ll get that chance. The whole country is behind him and watching his performances. You can’t ignore a guy who’s done so much for India, especially in the World Cup," said Badruddin.
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India National Cricket Team Mohammed Shami India vs South Africa Bengal Cricket Team Sunrisers Hyderabad
