NEW DELHI: BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar has responded to Mohammed Shami’s recent criticism over being left out of India’s white-ball tour of Australia. Agarkar addressed Shami’s comments regarding his fitness and availability for Bengal in Ranji Trophy matches.Shami, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy and was the country’s joint highest wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy, has been managing ankle and knee injuries that required surgery following the 2023 World Cup. The fast bowler had voiced his displeasure over the selection snub, stating that his participation in the Ranji Trophy proved his fitness and that it wasn’t his responsibility to update the selection committee.Responding to Shami’s remarks, Agarkar said: “If he says that to me, I will probably answer that. I mean if he was here, I would probably do that. I am not quite sure what he said on social media. Maybe if I read that, I might give him a call but my phone is always on for most players. I have had multiple chats with him over the last few months, but I don’t want to try and give you a headline here.”Agarkar further elaborated: “He has been an incredible performer for India. If he said something, maybe that is a conversation for me to have with him or him to have with me. But even before England, we said if he was fit, he would have been on that plane. Unfortunately, he wasn’t. Our domestic season has just started so we will see if he is fit enough and we will see where it goes. This is the first round of Ranji games that is going on. We will find out in a couple of more games. If he is bowling well, why would you not want to have someone like a Shami. But what we have found in the last six-eight months to a year, even during the Australia tour, we were desperate to have him on, but unfortunately his fitness wasn’t there. If he does stay fit over the next few months, the story might be different. But at this point, as far as I know, he wasn’t fit enough for that England tour.”India’s upcoming tour of Australia, beginning October 19, features three ODIs and a five-match T20I series. The tour will also mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to international cricket, their first appearance since the 2025 Champions Trophy final in March.
