India great Harbhajan Singh has sharply criticised the current Indian team management and selectors, asking “Where is Mohammed Shami?” and accusing them of sidelining in‑form, proven bowlers like Shami in white-ball cricket.

Harbhajan’s Questions To Gambhir And Agarkar

Harbhajan, speaking on his YouTube channel after India failed to defend 359 in the 2nd ODI against South Africa in Raipur, said he cannot understand why Shami is not playing when he is taking wickets regularly in domestic cricket. Shami has taken nine wickets in five Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games this season, including a recent 4 for 13 for Bengal, which Harbhajan highlighted as proof he is still a match-winner.

He name‑checked head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar indirectly by attacking the “management” and “selection committee” for, in his view, preferring less experienced options over a battle-hardened performer. Harbhajan argued that India “had good bowlers” who have been “slowly sidelined” and warned that constantly ignoring such bowlers will hurt the team’s balance and ability to win tight games.

Concern Over Over‑Reliance On Bumrah

Harbhajan stressed that India must learn to win without Jasprit Bumrah, pointing out how different the attack looks with and without him. He praised Mohammed Siraj’s performances in Tests in England but said that in white‑ball cricket India still lack enough bowlers who can consistently turn matches, either with pace or spin.​

He specifically mentioned Kuldeep Yadav as one strike option but questioned who else India can rely on to take wickets in crunch moments. In this context, he urged the selectors to recall Varun Chakravarthy to the ODI set‑up as well, not just T20Is, to add a mystery‑spin wicket‑taking option.

Context: India’s Raipur Defeat And Shami’s Domestic Form

India’s inability to defend 358 in Raipur under heavy dew and with dropped catches has triggered wide criticism of the bowling resources and choices. Experts and fans have slammed the attack as lacking cutting edge, especially in Bumrah’s absence.

At the same time, Shami has been delivering strong spells in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, including that 4 for 13 for Bengal against Services, giving him nine wickets at under 20 this season and loudly knocking on the selection door again. Harbhajan framed this contrast—India leaking runs at the death internationally while an experienced, in‑form Shami remains unused—as a selection failure that needs urgent correction.z