Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has questioned the selectors for not giving opportunities to Mohammed Shami after the fast bowler decided to call it a day in the red-ball format. Shami will continue to play in the limited-overs format.
He scalped 229 wickets at an average of 27.71, including six five-wicket hauls, in 64 Test matches for India. The veteran pacer last played for India in the Test format in the 2023 WTC final against Australia.
Shastri said Shami had another 30-40 wickets left in him and he slammed reports that he wasn’t fit as he has been consistently playing for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy.
“All these reports I heard that his fitness is not good… he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What else do you want for a player to prove his fitness? He’s winning the Duleep Trophy for East Zone. He’s bowling his heart out for Bengal, taking wickets and you want to test his fitness? What’s the point in being fit in the gym if you can’t bowl 10 or 12 overs in a game? Here you’ve got a workhorse who’s bowling for you. So I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t get another year,” Shastri said on Sony LIV’s Extraaa Innings while speaking during India’s tour of New Zealand.
“It’s sad when someone who’s played so well for the country has to go. I definitely thought he had another 30-40 wickets in him. Shami should have played in the last 12 months, maybe he should have been on this tour (of New Zealand) as a Test match bowler. Unfortunately, it’s his call. He’s made up his mind because I think he still had something to offer.”
In the ongoing domestic season, Shami has already played three Ranji Trophy games for Bengal and has also been named in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 squad.
