“Never Reached Out to Me” – Shami Exposes Ajit Agarkar and BCCI
Mohammed Shami denies fitness issues and contradicts Ajit Agarkar, saying selectors never checked on his readiness.
India pacer Mohammed Shami has raised fresh questions about the communication between selectors and senior players after being left out of the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour.
The experienced bowler, known for speaking his mind, dismissed all talk about his fitness and made it clear he is ready to play.
“The Indian team never reached out to me about my fitness. It’s not my job to update them, they should be the ones to ask,” Shami said.
“If I can play four-day cricket, then why can’t I play a 50-over game? If I was unfit, I’d be at the NCA, not in the Ranji Trophy.”
His remarks directly contradicted chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who had claimed that Shami needed more game time after featuring in only a handful of matches over the past two seasons.
“He hasn’t played much cricket. I think he had one game for Bengal and another in the Duleep Trophy. We all know his ability, but he needs to get more matches under his belt,” Agarkar had told reporters.
Shami, however, will now turn up for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, beginning October 15, under captain Abhimanyu Easwaran. His decision to play domestic cricket appears to be a statement that he’s fit and willing to prove himself once again.
The 35-year-old last played for India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand earlier this year.
