India vs New Zealand | Fit and firing: Why Agarkar & Co. can't ignore Shami anymore
Ajit Agarkar has been repeatedly questioned about the omission and has maintained the "need to play some cricket" stand. If 145.2 overs in Ranji Trophy, 26.5 overs in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and 34.2 overs in ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy doesn't qualify, then the definition of "some cricket" needs to be made clear.
Mohammed Shami and Ajit Agarkar
New Delhi: In the ongoing domestic season, Mohammed Shami has already sent down over 200 overs for Bengal. He has played the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and is currently playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Even though he continues to stay on the sidelines for the national team, the seamer continues to do what he does best - make the ball talk and pick wickets with ease.There have been verbal volleys between Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar whenever the bowler didn't get a call-up and his much debated absence will be up for discussion again when the selectors meet to pick the squad for New Zealand ODIs in the first week of January.
How Ajit Agarkar is letting Indian cricket down
Agarkar has been repeatedly questioned about the omission and has maintained the "need to play some cricket" stand.
If 145.2 overs in Ranji Trophy, 26.5 overs in SMAT and 34.2 overs in ongoing VHT doesn't qualify, then the definition of "some cricket" needs to be made clear.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shami, 35, last played for India in the Champions Trophy - where he was the lone specialist seamer doing the heavy lifting on turners - and returned with 9 wickets from five games, including a 5/53 outing.
Kolkata: Bengal's Mohammed Shami celebrates after the wicket of Uttarakhand's Devendra Singh Bora during the Ranji Trophy cricket match between Uttarakhand and Bengal, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. (PTI Photo/Swapan Mahapatra)(PTI10_15_2025_000234A)
The skill and quality has never been a doubt but it was the recurring fitness issues which became a big roadblock in his selection.
The chief selector had revealed during an event that Shami would have been on the flight to England had he been fit.But those are now conversations and discussions of the past. Looking ahead, selectors will find it really hard to ignore the experienced seamer for the three games against New Zealand starting January 11.He has given a terrific account of his fitness with regular outings for Bengal and the List A outings have been impressive with eight wickets in four games.
