Shami Dismisses Agarkar's Fitness Comments
Mohammed Shami's exclusion from India's ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia has caused quite a stir in the cricketing community. After playing a pivotal role in India’s success during the ICC Champions Trophy, many were surprised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to overlook the seasoned fast bowler. This decision led to a heated exchange between Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who cited fitness concerns as a reason for Shami's non-inclusion.
Currently participating in the Ranji Trophy, Shami is representing Bengal in their opening match against Uttarakhand. Following his performance, where he took three wickets in a single over, Shami expressed his disbelief at Agarkar’s comments. He told reporters, “Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled. It’s all in front of your eyes.” This statement reflects Shami's confidence in his abilities and fitness.
Agarkar, during a recent event in Delhi, commented on Shami's exclusion, stating, “If Shami were here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why wouldn’t we have a bowler like Shami?” However, he went on to explain that multiple discussions over the last few months indicated Shami wasn’t fit enough to be selected. He mentioned that if Shami maintains his fitness, the situation could change in the future.
Shami, however, has openly criticized the rationale provided by the BCCI selectors. He argued that his ongoing participation in four-day matches contradicts the claim about his fitness. Furthermore, he expressed concern over the selectors placing the responsibility of declaring fitness on players, rather than coordinating with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which is tasked with rehabilitating injured players.
At 35 years old, Shami is at a crucial juncture in his career, especially after struggling with knee injuries. The ongoing tension and bitterness surrounding his exclusion suggest that he feels misled regarding his standing in the team. As the ODI series approaches, all eyes will be on Shami and the selectors to see how this situation unfolds.
