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A fresh controversy has erupted in Indian cricket after a heated exchange between veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar over the bowler’s fitness and team selection. The disagreement comes amid Shami’s recent appearance in Bengal’s first-class match against Gujarat at the Eden Gardens, where he impressed with a three-wicket haul in the first innings. Shami meets BCCI secretary after match According to a report by Sportskeeda, BCCI secretary Jay Shah met Shami after the day’s play on Sunday and held a long discussion with the senior pacer. Shami, who last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, has been sidelined from the national squad in recent months due to recurring injuries. His return to domestic cricket has been viewed as a test of his fitness ahead of future national selections. Agarkar defends selectors’ call Agarkar, while addressing the media in Dubai earlier this month, defended the selection committee’s decision to omit Shami from the Test series against West Indies and the ODI tour of Australia.“He’s not played a lot of cricket in the last two-three years. I think he’s played one match for Bengal and one in the Duleep Trophy,” Agarkar said. “As a performer, we know what he can do. But he will need to play something.” Agarkar stressed that the BCCI’s current selection policy focuses on players who can demonstrate both form and fitness through consistent participation in first-class cricket. “The selectors have had multiple discussions with him over the last six to eight months, but his fitness levels have not met the required standards,” he added. Shami fires back at selection committee Shami, visibly frustrated, hit back at Agarkar’s comments during an interview with PTI.“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. My job is to attend the NCA, prepare, and play matches,” Shami said.“Woh unki baat hai unko kaun update deta hai, kisne nahin diya (It’s their matter who gives them updates or not). It’s not my responsibility.” When told about Agarkar’s remarks on his fitness, Shami responded sharply, saying: “Let him say whatever he wants. You’ve seen how I bowled. It’s all in front of your eyes.” Selection tension amid India’s transition The public exchange has reignited the debate over transparency in selection decisions and the communication gap between players and selectors. Insiders say Shami’s camp believes that his experience and match-winning record should weigh more heavily in selection considerations, especially with India entering a transition phase after the retirement of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from ODIs. Agarkar, however, remains firm that fitness and match-readiness are non-negotiable. The chairman of selectors reiterated that if Shami had been fully fit, he would have been part of the squad for the Australia tour, which saw several senior players making their final international appearances. What’s next for Shami? With domestic fixtures offering a limited window before India’s next red-ball assignment, Shami’s immediate focus will be to stay fit and deliver consistently in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments. His recent outing at the Eden Gardens suggests progress in recovery, but selectors are expected to monitor his workload closely. For now, the Shami vs Agarkar standoff has added another chapter to the ongoing conversation about fitness management, transparency, and the balance between reputation and current form in Indian cricket.
