Mohammed Shami has finally spoken, and he didn’t mince his words. Responding to Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar’s recent comments about his absence from the Australia ODI series, Shami pushed back against the narrative suggesting he’s out of touch or unavailable. Agarkar had claimed there was “no update” on Shami’s fitness, adding that the pacer hasn’t played much domestic cricket in the last couple of years. But for Shami, the issue was never fitness - it was communication.
His reply was sharp and clear: “Update lene ke liye update maangna padega ya jaan na padega.” In other words, if you want to know what’s going on, you need to ask. He added that it’s not his responsibility to chase people down and provide updates unprompted. That simple line revealed something deeper: a lack of direct dialogue between players and decision-makers.
Shami Isn’t Rusty, He’s Been Playing All Along
Shami didn’t just defend himself, he laid out the facts. Since the start of the year, he’s been actively playing competitive cricket. He featured in the Champions Trophy, where he finished as the third-highest wicket-taker. That was followed by the IPL, and then he played in the Duleep Trophy as well. According to him, he’s been training regularly, staying fit, and preparing for every opportunity.
“Champions Trophy khela, IPL bhi khela, uske baad Duleep Trophy bhi. Practice bhi ho rahi hai. Jab matches milenge, tabhi toh khelenge,” he said, brushing off any claims that he’s been idle. His point was simple—he can’t perform in matches if he’s not selected for them. The effort from his side has been consistent.
Where’s the Disconnect?
Shami’s comments raise a bigger question than just his own selection. Why is there such a gap in communication between selectors and senior players? If someone of Shami’s stature and experience feels the need to publicly clarify his availability, it suggests a much larger problem within the system. Miscommunication at this level doesn’t just affect careers, it affects team performance.
Shami has made it clear: he’s ready, he’s fit, and he wants to play. The silence around his status isn’t coming from him - it’s coming from the top. Now the question is, will anyone finally pick up the phone?
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