Srinagar: With ace pacer Mohammad Shami left out of India’s 18 member Test squad for the England series, it has been hinted that the pacer refused management’s request to manage his workload , which was also hinted by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar in the press conference.’
“If Mohammed Shami isn’t available in Australia or England, why would the selectors pick him against West Indies and South Africa at home? They might as well use Akash Deep, Arshdeep, Harshit or Mukesh as Siraj or Bumrah’s partner. Shami’s body is ageing and one has to accept that he is no longer the bowler he used to be,” former selector was quoted by PTI.
Shami, who has taken 229 wickets from 64 Tests, has not played red-ball cricket since undergoing ankle surgery. He didn’t make a single appearance in the 2023/25 World Test Championship cycle, missing home series against England last year and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar confirmed as much on Saturday, when addressing Shami’s exclusion. “He has been trying to get fit for the series but he has had a little bit of a setback for the last week or so and he has got some MRIs done. I’d like to mention, I don’t think he was going to be available for all five Tests. I don’t think his workload is where it needs to be,” Agarkar said. “It’s what the medical guys told us that he’s been ruled out of the series.”
“Mohammed Shami refused team management’s request”
Srinagar: With ace pacer Mohammad Shami left out of India’s 18 member Test squad for the England series, it has been hinted that the pacer refused management’s request to manage his workload , which was also hinted by Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar in the press conference.’
“If Mohammed Shami isn’t available in Australia or England, why would the selectors pick him against West Indies and South Africa at home? They might as well use Akash Deep, Arshdeep, Harshit or Mukesh as Siraj or Bumrah’s partner. Shami’s body is ageing and one has to accept that he is no longer the bowler he used to be,” former selector was quoted by PTI.
Shami, who has taken 229 wickets from 64 Tests, has not played red-ball cricket since undergoing ankle surgery. He didn’t make a single appearance in the 2023/25 World Test Championship cycle, missing home series against England last year and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar confirmed as much on Saturday, when addressing Shami’s exclusion. “He has been trying to get fit for the series but he has had a little bit of a setback for the last week or so and he has got some MRIs done. I’d like to mention, I don’t think he was going to be available for all five Tests. I don’t think his workload is where it needs to be,” Agarkar said. “It’s what the medical guys told us that he’s been ruled out of the series.”
