Udaipur, Oct 18, 2025: The selection of players in Team India is always discussed. Now, star fast bowler Mohammed Shami is not selected for the ODI series in Australia. Shami played an important role in India’s Champions Trophy win, but people are questioning him for this tour. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Shami is not picked because of fitness. Shami, who is playing in the Ranji Trophy, said this is not true. Now, Agarkar said it again, and people are asking if Shami is lying about his fitness.

What Shami Said About Selection

Mohammed Shami, who took nine wickets for Team India in the Champions Trophy 2025, recently spoke about selection and fitness. Shami, who took three wickets on the first day of the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal, said that selection is not in his control. About fitness, he said that if there were any issues, he would not have played in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He added that if he can play four-day matches, he is also fit for 50-over matches.

Shami also said it is not his job to provide fitness updates. That is the job of the Centre of Excellence. As a player, he can go there, take tests, and continue practice. His statement caused a stir because he missed the England tour due to fitness issues but recently played in the Duleep Trophy and now the Ranji Trophy.

Agarkar Responds

But Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar disagrees. When Shami’s statement was mentioned at a news event, Agarkar said he was not aware of it. He added that if there is a fitness issue, it is a matter for discussion between him and Shami. Agarkar said, “He has been a fantastic player for India. If he has said something, we will discuss it. Even before the England tour, we said that if he was fit, he would have been there. Our domestic season has just started. We will see what happens. One match is done, and in the next 2–3 matches, we will see his fitness.”

Is Shami Lying?

Agarkar added that he has spoken to Shami several times in the past few months. He said, “If he is bowling well, why wouldn’t we pick him? But in the last six to eight months or a year, he hasn’t been fully fit. We wanted to take him to Australia last time, but he was not ready. If he stays fit, things could change in the next few months.”

Now, the question remains: who is telling the truth—Shami or Agarkar?