“What’s plan going for…”- Cheteshwar Pujara slams BCCI and management for Mohammad Shami’s exclusion

The talk of the town ahead of the two-match Test series between India and South Africa was the exclusion of Mohammad Shami, who, despite the national side playing a Test match at his domestic ground, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, is still linked with Bengal for the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season. 

Mohammad Shami has already breathed fire in the event, but despite that, he has been overlooked by the BCCI selection committee and management in the longest format for nearly two years. He played his last Test match against Australia during the WTC 2021-23 final in South London. Now, Shami’s former team-mate, Cheteshwar Pujara, has sent a blunt message to the selectors ahead of the Protea series.

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“Someone like Mohammed Shami should be having – I mean, the selectors and the team management should have a very honest conversation with him. What’s the plan going forward? Whether they want to pick him or whether they are looking at the young players.” Pujara expressed during an interaction on JioHotstar.

Cheteshwar Pujara reacts to Mohammad Shami’s exclusion from South Africa Test series

Shami has played 64 Test matches so far in his career, picking up 229 wickets at an average of around 28 and a strike rate of 50 with six five-wicket hauls. India’s captain, Shubman Gill, has also rated the 35-year-old as a quality bowler on the eve of the Kolkata Test, besides highlighting their wish to put weight on the youngsters.

“If he is being informed that they are not looking at him, then it is always Shami’s personal call whether he wants to carry on playing first-class cricket, whether he still wants to – I mean, he is part of the IPL as well. So, he would want to carry on playing cricket.” Pujara mentioned in the same interaction.

“There aren't many bowlers of his (Mohammed Shami’s) quality around. But you have to take into consideration the bowlers that are playing right now. They have done such a terrific job. You can't ignore the performances of someone like Akash Deep or someone like Prasidh.” Gill shed light in the press conference.