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Bharat Arun Urges BCCI to Reconsider Mohammed Shami's Test Future
Mohammed Shami is an experienced Indian fast bowler.
He has not played a Test match since June 2023 because injuries kept him out of cricket.
He briefly returned to white-ball cricket in 2025, including the Champions Trophy.
Since then, selectors have not chosen him for India.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar says Shami is not fit enough for red-ball cricket.
Former bowling coach Bharat Arun disagrees and says Shami should still be considered when he is performing well.
Shami recently took five wickets in a domestic semifinal.
His captain, Ishan Kishan, said Shami is working hard and wants to return to the Indian team.
Shami is also preparing for his 100th first-class match.
Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun said selectors closed the door on Mohammed Shami too hastily.
Shami, 36, last played a Test in June 2023 and has been out across formats after injury setbacks.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Shami is not considered fit for red-ball cricket.
Shami took five wickets for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal against Central Zone.
Shami is set to play his 100th first-class match and remains motivated to return to India’s squad.
- Who
- Mohammed Shami, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and East Zone captain Ishan Kishan.
- What
- Arun criticized the selectors for ending Shami’s Test prospects too soon, while Agarkar said Shami is not fit for red-ball cricket.
- Where
- The debate concerns Shami’s prospects for India and his domestic performances for East Zone; Kishan spoke in Chennai.
- When
- The reports were published on September 5, 2026; Shami’s 100th first-class match was scheduled for the Duleep Trophy final.
- Why
- Arun cited Shami’s recent performances, durability, age-independent form, and motivation to continue playing red-ball cricket.
Bharat Arun and Shami’s Supporters
BCCI Selectors
Whether Shami Was Dropped Too Soon
Bharat Arun and Shami’s Supporters
Arun said selectors should not have closed the door on Shami because he remains capable, durable, and productive.
BCCI Selectors
The selectors have moved away from Shami and are focusing on younger fast bowlers for future plans.
Red-Ball Fitness
Bharat Arun and Shami’s Supporters
Arun and Shami’s recent domestic performances suggest he still deserves consideration for red-ball cricket.
BCCI Selectors
Ajit Agarkar said the selectors’ information indicates that Shami is not fit for red-ball cricket.
Role of Age
Bharat Arun and Shami’s Supporters
Arun argued that age should not be a factor when a player is performing well and showing durability.
BCCI Selectors
The reported selection approach emphasizes younger fast bowlers for the upcoming World Test Championship cycle and 2027 ODI World Cup.
Key facts
- Player
- Mohammed Shami is a 36-year-old India fast bowler.
- Last Test
- Shami last played a Test in June 2023.
- Injury absence
- An ankle injury kept Shami out for more than a year after the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- Duleep Trophy
- He took five wickets for East Zone against Central Zone in the semifinal.
- First-class milestone
- The Duleep Trophy final was scheduled to be Shami’s 100th first-class match.
- Selectors’ position
- Ajit Agarkar said the selectors do not consider Shami fit for red-ball cricket.
- Possible replacements
- Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Gurnoor Brar were identified as contenders for an all-format replacement.
Quotes
Ishan Kishan
East Zone captain discussing Shami’s domestic form and approach
“They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him. When someone is performing, age shouldn’t be a factor. You see his durability. It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball.”
news18.com
livemint.com
“As a captain, looking at the effort, I felt very nice, because Shami bhai coming in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets, it always gives confidence.”
livemint.com
Sources
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