"Let Him Say What He Wants": Shami Hits Back at Chief Selector

Kolkata: The war of words between Mohammed Shami and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar just got hotter. The senior India pacer, who was left out of the squad for the Australia white-ball tour, has come out swinging after Agarkar questioned his fitness at the NDTV World Summit 2025.

And Shami isn't just talking—he's letting his bowling do the talking too.

The Latest Salvo

After bowling Bengal to a big win over Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy, Shami made his feelings very clear when asked about Agarkar's comments. "Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes," the 35-year-old told reporters at Eden Gardens.

It's a simple statement, but it carries a punch. Shami is basically saying that his performance on the field should speak louder than any explanations about why he was dropped.

What Started This Mess?

The whole controversy began when India's squad for the Australia ODI and T20I series was announced without Shami's name. The fast bowler, who was one of India's best performers in the Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year, was surprised by the omission.

When asked about it, Agarkar initially said he had "no update" on Shami's fitness. This didn't sit well with the pacer, who fired back on social media, saying that if he's fit enough to play Ranji Trophy—which involves bowling long spells over four days—then surely he's fit for international cricket.

Agarkar Doubles Down

At the NDTV World Summit on Friday, Agarkar was asked to clarify the situation. He stood his ground, saying that if Shami was truly fit, the selectors would have picked him without a second thought. "If he is fit, why would we not have a bowler like Shami?" Agarkar said, adding that he's had "multiple chats" with Shami over the past few months about his fitness issues.

But Shami wasn't buying it. His response after the Ranji Trophy match showed he believes his bowling should be enough proof of his fitness.

The Numbers Don't Lie

And honestly, Shami's performance in the Ranji Trophy has been nothing short of excellent. Playing for Bengal against Uttarakhand, he grabbed seven wickets in the match and bowled nearly 40 overs across both innings.

Here's how his bowling went:

First Innings: 14.5 overs, 4 maidens, 37 runs, 3 wickets
Second Innings: 24.4 overs, 7 maidens, 38 runs, 4 wickets

In the second innings, he was particularly deadly. He first trapped Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela leg-before for 72, then came back after lunch to dismiss Abhay Negi, Janmejay Joshi, and Rajan Kumar in quick succession. From a comfortable 173 for 2, Uttarakhand collapsed to 265 all out, losing their last eight wickets for just 92 runs.

Bengal Cruise to Victory

Thanks to Shami's brilliance with the ball, Bengal had a small target to chase. They needed just 156 runs to win, and captain Abhimanyu Easwaran made sure there were no hiccups. He scored an unbeaten 71 off 82 balls, hitting six boundaries as Bengal romped home in just 29.3 overs with eight wickets in hand.

So, What's Really Going On?

The big question everyone is asking is: if Shami can bowl 40 overs in a Ranji Trophy match, why can't he play for India? The physical demands of first-class cricket are just as tough, if not tougher, than limited-overs cricket. So, the fitness argument doesn't seem to hold much water.

There might be other factors at play. Perhaps the selectors want to give younger bowlers a longer run. Or maybe they're being extra cautious with Shami, who has had knee and ankle issues in the past. But whatever the reason, the lack of clear communication has created this public spat, which isn't good for anyone.

What Happens Next?

For now, Shami is focused on doing what he does best—taking wickets for Bengal. His next chance to prove himself will come in Bengal's upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. As for the India squad, the selectors will have to decide whether his domestic performances are enough to bring him back into the fold.

One thing is certain: Mohammed Shami isn't going down without a fight. And with performances like this, he's making it very hard for the selectors to ignore him.