A fiery Mohammed Shami has doubled down on his stance, refusing to back down from Ajit Agarkar's comments about his fitness. In a bold move, Shami has chosen to address the issue head-on, leaving no room for doubt or speculation.
The exclusion of Mohammed Shami from India's ODI squad for the series against Australia has sparked controversy and left many fans and experts scratching their heads. Shami, a seasoned seam bowler, played a pivotal role in India's triumph at the ICC Champions Trophy, so his absence from the team was a surprising decision by the BCCI's selection panel.
But here's where it gets controversial... Shami, currently representing Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, has engaged in a verbal battle with chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Agarkar's comments about Shami's fitness have not gone unnoticed, and the pacer is not taking them lightly. In a recent interview, Shami dismissed Agarkar's remarks, stating, "Let him say whatever he wants. My performance speaks for itself."
And this is the part most people miss... Shami's actions on the field speak louder than words. During the Ranji opener at Eden Gardens, he single-handedly took the last three wickets of Uttarakhand's first innings, showcasing his skill and dominance. This performance alone challenges Agarkar's assessment of Shami's fitness being an issue.
Agarkar had previously commented on Shami's non-inclusion, questioning why a fit Shami wouldn't be an asset to the team. However, Shami's response suggests there might be more to the story.
"I've had numerous conversations with him," Agarkar explained. "Over the past months, it became clear that his fitness wasn't up to par. If he maintains his fitness, things could change, but he wasn't ready for the England tour."
Shami's anger towards Agarkar and the selectors is palpable. He has openly criticized the rationale behind his non-inclusion, pointing out that his participation in four-day events contradicts the fitness excuse. He also took issue with the selectors' approach of relying on players to announce their fitness, instead of communicating with the NCA's Center of Excellence, which is responsible for player rehabilitation.
India may have moved on from the 35-year-old Shami, who has been battling knee injuries, but his response suggests a sense of bitterness and dissatisfaction. If Shami believes he is being kept in the dark about the true reasons for his exclusion from India's Australian series, which begins on Sunday, his reaction is likely to be even more intense.
What do you think? Is Shami being unfairly treated, or is there more to this story? Join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments below!
