Back in late 2025, the Indian cricket fraternity was abuzz with the simmering Mohammed Shami-Ajit Agarkar selection row.
The veteran pacer, fresh from his
heroics in the Champions Trophy earlier that year, found himself repeatedly overlooked for white-ball tours, including the ODI series in Australia, despite turning out for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
Shami didn't mince words. He hit back at the selectors' fitness concerns, declaring, "If there is a fitness issue, I should not be here playing for Bengal. Selection isn't in my hands. Unko kaun update deta hai? That's not my responsibility. "
He added pointedly that proving his form on the field was enough, and communication from the panel felt lacking.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar responded calmly but firmly. In interviews, he noted, "I have had multiple chats with him over the last few months. If he was fit, why wouldn't we have a bowler like Shami?"
Agarkar stressed that the team needed Shami match-ready, revealing selectors were "desperate" for him in earlier series like England but concerns over workload persisted.
He added, "My phone is always on for most players. If he says that, maybe that is a conversation for me to have with him. "The episode highlighted the delicate balance between a senior player's pride and selectors' caution on fitness.
Shami kept delivering in domestic cricket, while Agarkar maintained the door wasn't shut. And as the IPL 2026 commences for Shami, the Indian bowler has fresh impetus to further bolster his bid for an India comeback. Shami was traded to Lucknow Super Giants ahead of this season and will now represent his home state in the IPL.
Mohammed Shami far from Retirement
Although repeated India snubs speculated on his future, the India speedster has robustly toned down those claims as he continues to find the urge to dismantle the stumps.
"When I get tired, I will call it a day. But I am not even thinking of retirement right now because such thoughts pull you down. If this thought crosses your mind, it means you're already tired. And if you're tired, it means you're bored," Shami recently said at the Shubhankar Mishra show.
I'll leave cricket the day I wake up and decide to get bored. So yeah, the day I feel lazy or get bored, I'll leave. But neither am I bored nor am I lazy. I am enjoying. Results are good and positive," the Indian pacer added.
