If I can play Ranji, why can't I play ODIs? Shami takes dig at Indian team management

Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has taken a subtle yet sharp dig at the Indian team management over his fitness status after being left out of India's ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Australia.

Shami dispelled fitness rumours, insisting he is match-ready despite not finding a place in the limited-overs teams. The Indian pacer said the communication gap lay with the management, not him, emphasising that if he is fit enough to play four-day Ranji Trophy matches, he is equally capable of handling the demands of 50-over cricket.

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The veteran pacer, who was overlooked for the white-ball leg of the Australia tour, has been named in Bengal's squad for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, which begins on October 15. The side will be led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, as confirmed by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Wednesday.

"The Indian team didn't communicate with me regarding fitness. I am not the one who would inform them about my fitness - they have to ask me. If I can play four-day cricket, then why can't I play a 50-over game? If I wasn't fit, I'd be at the NCA and not playing here in the Ranji Trophy," Shami said.

Shami's remarks stood in contrast to comments made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who offered a different explanation for the pacer's omission. Agarkar, addressing the media recently, said there had been no fresh updates on Shami and cited his limited game time in recent seasons.

"I have no update. He has played in the Duleep trophy. But in the last two-three years, he hasn't played a lot of cricket. I think he played one game for Bengal and one in the Duleep trophy. As a performer, we know what he can do, but he has to play cricket," said Agarkar.

The Bengal pacer, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, has not featured in the national setup across formats since then. Despite beginning that tournament strongly with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh, Shami went wicketless in two consecutive matches before regaining form with a three-wicket performance against Australia in the semifinal and a wicket in the final.

While a national recall may not be immediate, Shami's statement makes it clear that he's far from done. With a packed domestic season ahead and a crucial Test series against England in early 2026 on the horizon, his fitness and form in the coming months could well determine how soon the selectors come calling again.

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