More drama! Shami hits back at Agarkar's comments

• Shami disputes Agarkar's fitness concerns after ODI squad omission.
• Agarkar welcomes Shami's return if fit, citing prior unfitness.
• Shami performs well in Ranji, implying fitness despite Agarkar’s claim.

Star India pacer Mohammed Shami has said that chief selector Ajit Agarkar can say ‘whatever he wants’ in terms of his fitness but his performance is in front of everyone to see, as a cold war brews between

the two, weeks after the former wasn’t named in India’s ODI squad for Australia.

Shami, who is taking part in the Ranji Trophy as he represents Bengal in their opening round game against Uttarakhand, was dismissive of

Agarkar’s comments.

The latter had said on Friday that whenever Shami is fit enough to represent India, the selection committee would be glad to have him back. “If Shami were here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why would we not have a bowler like Shami?” Agarkar questioned.

“I have had multiple chats with him. Over the last six to eight months, what we have found out is that he was not fit. If he stays fit over the next few months, the story might be different, but he was not fit to be picked for the England tour,” Agarkar said. 

“Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes,” Shami told the media at the Eden Gardens at the end of the third day’s play.

The star Indian pacer wrapped up Uttarakhand’s first innings in the Ranji Trophy opener, taking the final three wickets in a single over to clean up the tail and hand Bengal a first-innings lead.

Shami picked four wickets in Uttarakhand’s second innings, dismissing skipper Kunal Chandela for 72, besides Abhay Negi, Janmejay Joshi and Rajan Kumar.

Shami responded with the ball, suggesting through his performance that Agarkar’s claim about fitness being the reason for his omission was not accurate.

Earlier, a visibly angry Shami had criticised the explanation given by the BCCI selectors, arguing that fitness could not be the reason for his omission since he had been playing in four-day games.