India’s premier fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, featured in the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 for Bengal at the Eden Gardens against Uttarakhand. On his arrival in the city, he slammed the chief selector of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, for the pacer’s omission from the three-match ODI series against Australia down under.

Shami bowled with pace and good line and length in the first round of the competition and collected seven wickets in the game. That’s a positive sign for the Blue Brigade, who may want the pacer’s experience in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

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“Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes.” Shami revealed at the end of the third day’s play at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The right-arm pacer has picked up 206 wickets in 107 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 24.05 and a strike rate of 25.80 with the help of 10 four-wicket and six five-wicket hauls.

Mohammed Shami reacts to Ajit Agarkar’s comments on pacer’s snub from AUS vs IND ODI series

Shami featured in the Champions Trophy 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they went on to win the title. A few days ago, during an interaction, Agarkar reckoned that they wanted Shami in the England series, but the veteran fast bowler wasn’t fully prepared for the trip.

“If Shami were here, I would give him an answer. If he is fit, why would we not have a bowler like Shami? I have had multiple chats with him. Over the last six to eight months, what we have found out is that he was not fit. If he stays fit over the next few months, the story might be different, but he was not fit to be picked for the England tour.” Agarkar mentioned.

India will play South Africa and New Zealand at home for their next home ODI series, which will produce more chances for Shami to return to the national side for the 50-over format.