While the Indian cricket team prepares for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar recently addressed several questions while speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2025.
Notably, the Indian cricket team has flown to Australia for a limited-overs tour which comprises of three ODIs and five T20Is. The series will begin with the ODI leg, which will be played from October 19 to 25, followed by five-match T20I series which will culminate on November 8.
As the Indian team for the upcoming series saw several surprises including Rohit Sharma’s snub as ODI skipper, Mohammed Shami continued to be a notable absentee. Speaking at the NDTV Summit, Agarkar was inquired about Indian pacer’s snub. His comments came after Shami himself broke silence on the same ahead of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy 2025/26 game against Uttarakhand.
He wasn’t fit: Ajit Agarkar breaks silence on Mohammed Shami’s omission from ODI squad for Australia series
Speaking at the summit, the former Indian cricketer said, “If Shami was here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why wouldn’t we have a bowler like Shami? I have had multiple chats with him. Over the last six to eight months, what we have found out is that he wasn’t fit. He wasn’t fit to be picked for the England tour.” Agarkar’s comments came after Shami has earlier remarked that he is completely fit and ready for international duty.
Speaking to the media before Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match, Shami had said, "I have said this before... Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn't be here playing for Bengal. I think I do not need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers (Ranji Trophy), I can also play 50-overs cricket. About giving an update, it's not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update. It's not my job to give updates on my fitness.”
Notably, the 34-year-old last played India’s Champions Trophy 2025 final match against New Zealand.
