‘It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness’: Mohammed Shami hits back at Ajit Agarkar selection committee | Cricket News

Kolkata: At a time when speculation is rife over the future of two of India’s greatest cricketers, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, another player who has played a lot of cricket for the country alongside the duo is gearing up to make his comeback to the national team. Unlike the two, Mohammed Shami was overlooked for the white-ball series Down Under. The pacer, who joined the Bengal team on Monday evening, went to work in full swing in the nets on Tuesday, a day before their match. Ranji Trophy opening match against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens. “I feel very comfortable. I have been training for two-and-a-half months since the IPL ended. In between, I also played the Duleep Trophy. You saw that I played 35 overs there. I have no injury problems. Everything is normal,” Shami, who suffered recurring ankle and knee injuries that even required surgery after the 2023 World Cup, said. declared about his current status.

Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had recently said: “I don’t have any updates (on Shami). He played in the Duleep Trophy. But in the last two-three years, he hasn’t played much cricket. As a performer, we know what he can do, but he has to play cricket.” Shami, who last played for India in the Champions Trophy in 2025, hit back hard. “If you want an update, then you have to ask for it. It’s not my job or responsibility to take stock of my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare and play matches,” he said. “Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness problem, I should not be here. If I can play four-day matches, I can also play 50-over cricket,” he said. The veteran point guard, however, didn’t blame anyone for missing the flight to Australia. “I always say you have to select the best for your country. It’s about the team and the country. I have no objection. If you don’t select me, I will come here and play for Bengal. I have no problem with that,” he said. Shami felt there was still some cricket left in him and kept his Indian dreams alive. “Cricket is such a game that you can’t always have the same flow or performance. My performance in the 2023 World Cup (where I was India’s leading wicket-taker) was of a different level. After that, I had an injury. I wanted to come back after the surgery. I am trying to do the same. I am ready to go whenever they (the selectors) want me to go,” he said.