India's fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, has raised significant concerns about how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) communicates with its players. Following his exclusion from the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming Australia tour, Shami stated that he was never contacted by selectors regarding his fitness.
Known for his candidness, Shami asserted, "The Indian team never reached out to me about my fitness. It’s not my job to update them; they should be the ones to ask." His remarks came in direct response to chief selector Ajit Agarkar's claims that Shami required more game time to demonstrate his fitness.
Agarkar had noted, "He hasn’t played much cricket. He had one game for Bengal and another in the Duleep Trophy. We all know his ability, but he needs to get more matches under his belt." This statement ignited a firestorm as Shami indicated he is more than prepared to play.
To further clarify his stance, Shami is participating in the Ranji Trophy, starting October 15, under captain Abhimanyu Easwaran. His involvement in domestic cricket is seen as a statement about his readiness to compete. At 35 years old, Shami last represented India in the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand earlier this year.
| Match Type | Matches Played | Last Match Date |
| Ranji Trophy | Upcoming | October 15, 2025 |
| Duleep Trophy | 1 | [Exact Date] |
| ODI/T20I | Excluded | [Projected Date] |