Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has responded to head selector Ajit Agarkar‘s assertions that the former’s lack of fitness was the cause for his exclusion from the Indian side for the upcoming white-ball tour of Australia. Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy in 2025, and he most recently represented East Zone in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals.
Shami stated unequivocally that there were no difficulties with her physical health and that he felt entirely in control and in rhythm while bowling during the Duleep Trophy match. He also stated that he felt no discomfort when bowling long stints in the Duleep games, in which the East Zone was defeated by the North.
“My fitness is also good. I will try to do better because when you are away from the ground, you need to remain motivated. I played in the Duleep Trophy. I felt very comfortable, my rhythm was good, and I bowled around 35 overs. There are no issues with my fitness,” stated Shami in a video on his YouTube channel.
Earlier, during a squad selection announcement ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia, selector Agarkar had urged Shami to attain game time before considering a call-up to the international side.
“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 had commented.
Mohammed Shami was the leading wicket-taker for India and overall at the 2023 World Cup.
He had a whopping tally of 24 wickets to his name in seven matches. However, a protracted ankle injury during the tournament and recovery period kept him out of the reckoning for more than a year.
The right-armer was picked up during the Champions Trophy 2025. He was a crucial part of the team in their title-winning run. However, he did not have an IPL 2025 to remember where he represented the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The Amroha-born could only pick up six wickets in nine matches at an expensive economy rate of 11.23.
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