Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been out of international action for nearly eight months, is once again in the headlines this time for a long conversation with a senior national selector. Following his public criticism of the selection committee for a “lack of communication,” reports suggest that one of the selectors personally met Shami to address concerns over his omission.
Shami’s India Absence and the Selection Controversy
Mohammed Shami has not played for India since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in March, where he captained the pace attack and played an instrumental part in India’s championship-winning run. The 35-year-old pacer has since then not played a part in any international match.
Mohammed Shami non-selection for the white-ball tour of Australia caused some surprise, particularly after he suggested that he was denied proper communication from the selectors about his being left out.
Responding to these allegations, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Shami was not selected solely on the grounds of fitness, and not due to form or attitude. Agarkar, while addressing at the NDTV World Summit 2025, said, “If he was fit, he would have been on the plane to Australia. Unfortunately, he wasn’t.”
BCCI Selector RP Singh Meets Shami in Kolkata
As per a report from Sportskeeda, newly elected BCCI selector RP Singh had an unmediated, extensive conversation with Shami at Eden Gardens, after Day 2 of the Bengal-Gujarat Ranji Trophy match.
The ex-pacer is said to have gone to speak to Shami to close the chapter after recent media sparring between the player and Agarkar.
“Following the media wars between Ajit Agarkar and Mohammed Shami a week ago, RP Singh is at Eden Gardens for Bengal vs Gujarat showdown. The World T20 champion spoke to Shami extensively after play,” the report added.
The meeting is believed to be part of the selectors’ efforts to maintain transparency and communication with senior players, especially those who have been out of national contention due to fitness or form.
Mohammed Shami’s Domestic Comeback
Earlier this week, Shami produced a reminder of his class with a seven-wicket match haul for Bengal against Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy. His fiery spell, which saw him take a four-wicket burst in the second innings, helped Bengal win an emphatic eight-wicket victory.
The performance was seen by many as a statement of intent from the seasoned pacer, proving that he remains a force in red-ball cricket. As India continue to build toward the 2026 T20 World Cup, Shami’s future with the national side will depend largely on his fitness and consistency in domestic cricket.
