Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has acknowledged that Mohammed Shami has every reason to feel aggrieved over his non-selection for India’s white-ball tour of Australia. However, he also emphasised the importance of hearing the selectors’ and team management’s perspectives before forming any judgments about the veteran pacer’s omission.
India are set to play three ODIs and five T20Is against Australia, with the first ODI scheduled to take place in Perth on Sunday, October 19. Notably, Shami has
been left out of both squads, while Ravindra Jadeja, who has already retired from T20Is, has also been excluded from the ODI side. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked to share his thoughts on the future of both Shami and Jadeja following their absence from the ODI series against Australia.
"Shami has been very vocal and has criticised the selection committee a lot. Again, every story has two sides. So, you need to hear all sides. The coach, captain, and selector are not going to say anything unless you prod them and ask whether they have spoken to Shami,” said Chopra on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra also noted that the selectors appear to be looking beyond Shami at the moment, and that the Bengal seamer would need to deliver exceptional performances in domestic and international cricket to force his way back into the squad.
"Whether they did or not, you and I will never know. The truth is that it doesn't seem like the selectors are looking towards him. This is a reality. He has every right to feel aggrieved and unhappy. If he is happy with his fitness and selectors, for whatever reason, are not happy, it's unfortunate, but nothing can be done. Shami will have to do a lot to make it back," he added.
Chopra also questioned Jadeja’s role in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, especially given that Axar Patel was preferred over him for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. While noting that it may be too early to make definitive judgments on Jadeja’s ODI future, he reiterated that Shami no longer appears to be in the selectors’ plans.
"Ravindra Jadeja is also on the fringes. I am thinking that if Axar is here, why would Jaddu be there in South Africa? You cannot say it now, although two-and-a-half years are left," said Chopra.
"So it is a little too early to really call something on Jaddu. However, since Shami has been ignored for such a long time, it seems like the team management and selectors have made up their minds slightly to look in a different direction," he concluded.
