‘You shouldn’t keep the door closed on Mohammed Shami’: Former India coach questions Ajit Agarkar-led selectors
Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo) Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has questioned the way Mohammed Shami has been treated by the current Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, insisting the veteran pacer still has a lot to offer despite being out of the national set-up.Shami has not played for India since the Champions Trophy campaign in March 2025, when India won the tournament. Since then, the 36-year-old has remained out of the national team despite putting together a string of strong performances in domestic cricket.His continued absence has fueled speculation that Shami’s international career could be coming to an end. However, Arun feels that India should not have closed the door on one of their most experienced fast bowlers.
Bharat Arun is not happy with Shami’s treatment
Shami’s omission was particularly noticeable when Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable, with the Indian management opting to invest in younger pace options rather than recalling the experienced Bengal seamer.There was also a public exchange between Shami and Agarkar last year. After the selectors omitted Shami from the Test squad for the series against the West Indies, Agarkar raised questions about the pacer’s fitness.Shami responded by making it clear that he would not play Ranji Trophy cricket for Bengal if he was not fit.As Shami continues to excel on the domestic circuit, Arun believes that age should not automatically count for him.“They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. He still has a lot of cricket left in him. When someone performs, age shouldn’t be a factor. You can see his resilience. It’s an excellent number for the kind of talent he has. It actually suits Shami. 100 first-class games with what he loves the most, the red ball,” Arun told Indian Express.Shami is currently representing East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai, giving him another opportunity to make his mark with the red ball.
Ishan Kishan also sees hunger in Shami
East zone captain Ishan Kishan has also noticed a different level of intensity from Shami during the current domestic season.Ahead of the Duleep Trophy final, Kishan said the veteran pacer has shown a strong desire to return to India and appreciated the effort he is putting into his domestic cricket.“As a captain, looking at the effort, I felt very good because Shami bhai came and asked me to bowl those extra overs to get wickets, it always gives confidence,” Ishan said.Kishan added that Shami’s attitude stood out to him, especially given that he is no longer a regular in the Indian team.“When I look at Shami bhai this season, I feel he has been very different. I have seen him in the past, but his approach to the game, his intensity, his energy was very different. When you don’t play regularly for the Indian team and again have the same kind of motivation for your home matches, it’s difficult, but I feel I can see that hunger in him. I think right now he has that hunger, like he wants to be part of the Indian strength and motivation. see,” he added.
Shami reaches 100 first-class matches
The Duleep Trophy final also brought another major milestone for Shami.The East Zone pacer appeared in his 100th first-class match against South Zone in Chennai and added another milestone to a successful career.Shami also played an important role in East Zone’s semi-final victory over defending champions Central Zone, taking three wickets in the second innings.
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