The pile of emotions finally came out. After playing a classy 159-run knock against Chhattisgarh on a rain-affected day in a Ranji Trophy 2025 round two match, Ajinkya Rahane alleged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of 'no communication.'

Rahane can still feel the pain for not being selected for India’s Test tour to Australia in the 2024-25 season, where India performed poorly. During a recent interview, the experienced batter said that players like him who have passion for the red ball cricket deserve a chance to play for India. The 37-year-old believed that age is not a factor in performing in the highest order of cricket as long as a player himself can show the intent and passion for the game.

After the 159-run innings, Rahane said, "After 34-35 players are old. Players are always looking to do well. Players are always looking to give their best. And if someone is really passionate about playing red ball cricket. I think selectors should look into it. Because they come and watch the game. Every time it’s not about the performance. It’s about the intent and the passion and how you play with the red ball." 

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It was one of Rahane's most disheartening moments in his cricket career when he came to know the selectors did not choose him for the BGT series. 

Ajinkya Rahane alleged BCCI for poor communication

"In Australia, you see, Michael Hussey made his debut in his 30s. Still, he made runs. Experience matters in red ball cricket. I thought, personally, the Indian team needed me in Australia," he said. 

Recently, another star of India, Mohammed Shami, also made some explosive remarks on BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. After taking 7 wickets for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Uttarakhand, the pacer stated, "Let him say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes." 

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.

After the 2-match Test series against the West Indies, Team India will travel to Australia for an 8-match white ball series (IND vs AUS). The series, starting from October 19, will feature 3 One Day International matches and 5 T20Is. In both of the formats, BCCI selectors again ignored experienced pacer Mohammed Shami. Did they make a mistake by not including the experienced pacer in the squad, at least for the ODI series?

Former India international Mohammed Kaif clearly stated that Team India should include Shami in the squad for the high-octane competition. During a recent conversation on YouTube, Kaif said that in white-ball cricket, Shami has the capability to pick up wickets against heavyweight opponents. Kaif confidently picked up Shami as the second-best limited-over Indian pacer after Jasprit Bumrah.

The former cricketer opined that if Bumrah was unable to play, then Shami could be an automatic choice in the playing combination. He could create a pair with Arshdeep Singh or any other pacer, and that could prove effective for Team India against Australia. 

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What Kaif says about Shami?

During the conversation, Kaif made some surprising comments as well. He said that Travis Head and the Australia team will be very happy, as they will not have to face Bumrah or Shami. 

"Shami should be in the team. Give him the new ball, and he will take a wicket for the team. When Bumrah is struggling, then Shami should be in the team. Shami's presence on the field could put extra mental pressure on the opponent team psychologically as well. Travis Head will be very happy not to face both Bumrah and Shami," Kaif said. 

India’s ODI squad for the Australia tour: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), Axar Patel, KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel (WK), and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

India’s veteran fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who featured in the Champions Trophy 2025, has been left out of the 15-member squad of the national side for their three-match ODI series against Australia down under. He went through a tough IPL 2025 for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, leaking so many runs, besides being omitted from the England Test series.

Shami, who has overall picked up 206 wickets for India in 107 ODI innings at an average of 24.05 and a strike rate of 25.80 with the help of six five-wicket and 10 four-wicket hauls at the best bowling figure of 7/57 in an innings, has broken the silence on his snub from the upcoming 50-over squad.

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“People want to know my opinion on the non-selection for the Australia series. I will just say that getting selected is not in my hands; it's the job of the selection committee, coach, and captain. If they feel I should be there, they will select me, or if they feel some more time is needed, it's in their hands. I am ready and practicing.” Shami expressed his views by addressing the rumors and speculation on his YouTube channel.

Mohammed Shami assures fans of his fitness ahead of Australia ODIs

Shami showed confidence in his fitness for competitive cricket. He featured for East Zone against North Zone during the recent Duleep Trophy 2025 at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he picked up one wicket across two innings. He has been picked by the CAB for the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 squad.

“My fitness is also good. I will try to do better because when you are away from the ground, you need to remain motivated. I played in the Duleep Trophy. I felt very comfortable, my rhythm was good, and I bowled around 35 overs. There are no issues with my fitness.” The Bengal pacer shed light.

The former Indian opener, Aakash Chopra, questioned the chances of the pacer’s return due to the lack of match practice, “I feel it won’t be good because if his name has not come now, the chances of his name coming in India are very less in any case. He is playing domestic cricket, and he has asked people why they are after him if he wants to play.”

The premier fast bowler of the Indian side, Mohammed Shami, has looked back at those times when he had suicidal thoughts but opted against it after the thoughts of cricket came to mind. The 35-year-old recalled the criticisms he faced after his former wife accused him of domestic violence, match, and dowry harassment.  

Shami, who was the leading wicket-taker of the 2023 ODI World Cup with 24 wickets in seven innings at an average of around 11, a strike rate of 12.20, and an economy rate of 5.26, with the help of three five-wicket hauls and one four-wicket haul in an innings. The India pacer recalled how cricket pushed him not to jump to his death.

See Also: Duleep Trophy 2025 Final Round: All Scores from Day 4

“The thought came to my mind, but it did not happen, thank God, otherwise I'd have missed the World Cup. The thought came to my mind to end my life, but then I decided, this game, which gave me so much fame, why should I jump to my death, forgetting all these? I thought of the love and affection. Then I decided, forget this and focus on my game.” Shami expressed during a recent interaction on Ap ki Adalat.

Mohammed Shami comments on how cricket helped him to overcome suicidal thoughts

Shami has overall picked up 229 wickets in 122 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 27.71 and a strike rate of 50.2 with an economy rate of 3.30. He was also part of India’s Champions Trophy 2025 winning squad under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.

“Bad things are spoken about, but nowadays those things are spoken about which do not exist.. I am most scared of that. Yesterday, I was looking at a photograph, and I didn't know when I had taken it. The number of allegations that have been levelled against me in the last 6-7 years, maybe even a terrorist would not have been levelled so many allegations.” The Bengal bowler addressed.

However, since the Champions Trophy 2025, he has struggled with rhythm, having picked up only six wickets in nine innings of the IPL 2025 for the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He played the Duleep Trophy 2025 recently and aims to come back during India’s home Test series against the West Indies.

The premier fast bowler of the Indian side, Mohammed Shami, has given his view on the ODI captain of the national side, Rohit Sharma. He called the Mumbai batter the greatest and most destructive opening batter of modern white-ball cricket, besides comparing his caliber with Virat Kohli.

The Nagpur-born is the 10th leading run-getter of the 50-over format. Rohit Sharma has smashed 11168 runs in 265 innings at an average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80 with the help of 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries at the best score of 264 runs against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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“Both Rohit and Virat are different in terms of caliber. Because, if you look at an opening batter, I don’t think there is anyone dangerous than Rohit, especially in white-ball cricket. If you look at the number three spot, then it’s Virat Kohli.” Shami expressed during a recent interaction on Ap ki Adalat.  

Watch: Mohammed Shami calls Rohit Sharma best white-ball opening batter

Rohit’s last action in the field came during the second qualifier of the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Mumbai Indians against the Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. He has already started preparation for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia down under.

Mohammed Shami on Rohit Sharma’s greatness 🙌🏻

Don’t miss the last part: When Rohit scores a century he just raises his bat…aur maar maar ke ball phaad deta hai 😂🔥.

pic.twitter.com/7kXo9H6NUW

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) September 14, 2025

The name will straightaway come to you. Both are top-level batters. If you look at them play, you will realize the impact they are leaving. The confidence and the preparation they show are incredible. Everyone has their respective style of celebration.” Shami reckoned in the same discussion.  

“You can celebrate calmly. Even if I get one wicket or five wickets, we tend to celebrate the same way. So, I don’t change much in celebration, and that’s the same with Rohit. He will just raise his bat if he gets to a century. Anyway, he tears the ball by hitting it.” Shami addressed. Along with Rohit, Kohli will also be back in the field, having already retired from the shortest and longest formats of the game.

Indian pace star Mohammed Shami recently shared a heartfelt story about his bond with Virat Kohli. The fast bowler revealed that Kohli often spoke with his mother over the phone, maintaining a warm connection beyond cricket.

Shami recalled a special moment during the Champions Trophy final earlier this year in Dubai. His mother was present at the venue to witness the big occasion, and Kohli made sure to meet her personally after India’s victory. The star batter’s gesture left a lasting impression.

According to Shami, Kohli sought his mother’s blessings after the win, showing his respect and humility. He added that these personal moments reflect the genuine side of Kohli, who values relationships as much as cricket. The incident highlighted not just their strong camaraderie as teammates, but also Kohli’s deep regard for family values, earning him admiration both on and off the field.

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Mohammed Shami Shares a Story About His Bond with Virat Kohli:

The day following the Champions Trophy final, a heartwarming picture of Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, and Shami’s mother went viral on social media, capturing the attention of fans everywhere. Shami’s mother is rarely seen at cricket stadiums, but she made a special appearance for the high-profile final. 

The occasion was even more significant as it marked Shami’s comeback after a long injury break, making her presence and the memorable photograph even more meaningful. The image symbolized both personal triumph and emotional family support during a crucial milestone in Shami’s career.

In a popular show named ' Aap ki Adaalat', Shami said, “ Virat used to talk to my mom over the phone. She had never met him in person and when she came to watch the match after years, I told Virat she was there. That is why he went to her.”

When host Rajat Sharma mentioned Virat Kohli once playfully calling him lazy for falling asleep during massage sessions, Mohammed Shami responded with a light-hearted laugh, taking the comment in good spirit and showcasing their friendly bond.

He further said, “ Your body gets exhausted during a Test. I might have taken a short nap, but if that earns me the lazy tag, I do not mind. Fast bowling is the toughest job in the team. We run the most, we respond whenever the situation demands and off the field, if I relax for a bit, what is the harm?”

He added, “ Virat can call me ‘lazy’ or ‘lala’, but I am neither fat nor selling jewellery. In the Indian team, you are bound to pick up some nickname.”

The Indian fast bowler fondly remembered a humorous incident when Virat Kohli smiled while answering a commentator’s question in English. Shami recalled how the moment brought laughter in the dressing room, highlighting Kohli’s playful side beyond his serious on-field persona.

He concluded, “ I was trying my best to answer in English. I even joked that I had brought Virat with me during the New Zealand series because the Kiwis have such a different accent. After I finished, Virat asked why I had brought him along.”

The runners-up of the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Sunrisers Hyderabad, who went though an excellent season thanks to some incredible batting and bowling performances under the captaincy of Pat Cummins, couldn’t repeat the same dominance in the recent edition and ended at the sixth position in the points table to earn just six victories in 14 encounters at a net run rate of -0.241. 

Sunrisers started their campaign with a 44-run IPL victory against the Rajasthan Royals at home before facing four successive defeats in the event. By the time they grabbed three consecutive victories in the business end of the competition against Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, it was too late for the side.

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Looking ahead to the 2026 edition, Hyderabad will need to make some changes to the playing eleven and, more importantly, to the squad. They could also leave a few players with an aim to get them back for a low price during the mini auction of the next season.

Let’s take a look at the five players that the Sunrisers Hyderabad might release before IPL 2026, featuring Ishan Kishan.

5. Ishan Kishan

The left-handed Indian wicket-keeper batter, Ishan Kishan, came into the franchise for a huge price of INR 11.25 crore and scored a century in the opening clash against Rajasthan. But he couldn’t hold the same form and rhythm for the rest of the season and ended with just 354 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.40 and a strike rate of 152.58.

Kishan has scored over 300 runs in the last four editions of the tournament. The SRH management can aim to get the batter back in the squad during the mini auction. On many occasions, the southpaw struggled to get going from the start, which was a concern for the franchise.

4. Mohammed Shami

During a recent interaction with India’s veteran and one of the premier pacers, Mohammed Shami, the fast bowler revealed that he could keep cards and doors open to get selected in other franchises for the next season of the IPL. The right-arm pacer couldn’t find his right line and length in most games and was bashed for several runs, which cost the 2016 champions in the power play.

Shami, who has collected 133 IPL wickets in 119 innings at an average of under 29 and a strike rate of below 20 with an economy rate of 8.63, thanks to the two four-wicket hauls in an inning, has bagged only six scalps in nine innings in 2025 at an economy rate of over 11.

Looking at how Shami has performed in his international career in recent years, it would be wiser for the franchise to leave the Bengal pacer and get him back for a lower price than INR 10 crore.

3. Abhinav Manorhar

Abhinav Manohar, the former Gujarat Titans player, came to the Sunrisers Hyderabad side last season for a price of INR 3.20 crore. He was known for his incredible aggression with the bat in the lower order to help the franchise give a good finish. But he somehow failed to repeat the same thing during the last edition of the event.

Manohar, who clubbed 114 runs in six IPL innings at an average of 19 and a strike rate of over 137 in 2023, got just 61 runs in five innings of the IPL 2025 at a strike rate of only 100. On many occasions, he failed to offer them a good finish in the lower order.

Either the Sunrisers could think of changing the player or bring him back for a lower price for the new edition.

2. Adam Zampa

It’s incredibly hard to believe how the veteran Australian leg spinner, Adam Zampa, despite being one of the successful white-ball bowlers of the national side, hasn’t been able to crack the IPL code yet. Sunrisers brought him after releasing Wanindu Hasaranga. But the 33-year-old in two innings of the IPL 2025 picked up only a couple of wickets at an average of 47 and an economy rate of nearly 12.

Zampa’s T20 experience isn’t new, with him collecting 386 wickets in 307 T20 innings at an average of 21.53 and an economy rate of 7.48. Hyderabad can think of getting better options than the spinner, whom they bagged for a price of INR 2.40 crore.

1. Rahul Chahar

The 26-year-old Indian leg spinner, Rahul Chahar, was at times one of the vital members of the eleven for the Mumbai Indians when they won the IPL 2020. But his form has gone down in the last couple of seasons of the league.

In 2025, he came to the franchise for a price of INR 3.20 crore and could not open his account in the solitary game he played at the Wankhede against the Mumbai franchise. Even in that clash, he bowled just one over, and he could be one of the bowlers to get left out of the side.

September 3, 1990: birthday of star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, whose international debut turned into a piece of masterclass. In his first international match for India, in Tests, Shami took 9 for 118 against the West Indies in Kolkata in 2013, which still stands as the best match figures on debut for an Indian fast bowler.

But he liked to choose World Cups to show his true character. ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will always be remembered for his bowling brilliance. After missing the first three matches, the fast bowler became the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 24 scalps with an economy rate of 5.26 in 7 matches. Before that, in 2015 in Australia, the speed star bagged 17 wickets at 17.29, despite having an injured knee. During the next edition, he claimed 14.

Shami was an instrumental figure when Virat Kohli came in charge of leading Team India in Test cricket. During Virat's first Test tour against Australia, Shami got 15 wickets in 3 matches. Shami could have accumulated more wickets to his name if he did not suffer from multiple injuries. 

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Career graph took a sudden dive

The phase after the 2023 World Cup proved to be the toughest for Mohammed Shami. He had to undergo surgery and remained outside the field for a long time. After that, his career path was never the same as before. Mohammed Shami's best moments for India perhaps were the record-breaking 7-wicket haul in the 2023 Cricket World Cup semi-final against New Zealand and a World Cup hat-trick against Afghanistan in the same tournament. 

In 64 Test matches, the 34-year-old bowler struck 229 times; in ODIs, he got 206 wickets in 108 matches, though his T20I stats may not look as attractive as his numbers in the other two formats. The Uttar Pradesh-born has only 27 wickets in 25 T20Is.

On the third day of the Duleep Trophy 2025, batters contributed with huge scores individually as Shubham Sharma celebrated a fine knock of 122 runs for the Central Zone after Danish Malewar posted a double century for the same team in the first innings. On the other hand, Ankit Kumar and Yash Dhull also clubbed centuries in the second innings of their batting. 

Ankit Kumar couldn’t get his double century for the North Zone side as he ended up with a fine knock of 198 runs in 321 deliveries, with the help of 19 boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 61.68. Ayush Badoni, walking at number four, remained unbeaten on 204 runs at a strike rate of more than 90, thanks to 13 fours and three sixes.

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Nishant Sindhu also bashed a fine 68 runs in 91 balls at a strike rate of around 75 as they posted a huge score of 658/4 before shaking hands to confirm the drawn result. Mohammed Shami bowled 11 overs in the second innings and couldn’t pick up a wicket.

Duleep Trophy 2025 Round 1: All Scores from Day 4

Central decided not to drag their overnight score from the third day’s play and invited the North East Zone for a fourth-innings chase on the fourth and final day of the clash. The wicket-keeper batter, Jehu Anderson, smashed 64 runs while their captain, Rongsen Jonathan, clubbed 60 runs as they finished with 200/6.

The second round of the tournament will be the semifinal. Those two games will take place on September 04 at the Centre of Excellence Ground of the BCCI. More international players are expected to feature in the contest.

Duleep Trophy 2025 Round 1: All Scores from Day 4

North Zone- 405 (Kanhaiya Wadhawan 76, Ayush Badoni 63, Manishi 6/111) & 658/4 dec (Ayush Badoni 204*, Ankit Kumar 198, Yash Dhull 133, Suraj Jaiswal 1/77) draw with East Zone 230 (Virat Singh 69, Riyan Parag (c) 39, Auqib Nabi 5/28).

Central Zone 532/4 dec (Danish Malewar 203, Rajat Patidar 125*, Akash Choudhary 2/103) & 331/7 dec (Shubham Sharma 122, Yash Rathod 78, Akash Choudhary 2/44) draw North East Zone 185 (Karnajit Yumnam 48, Ankur Malik 42, Aditya Thakare 3/23) & 200/6 (Jehu Anderson 64, Rongsen Jonathan 60, Shubham Sharma 2/10).