Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has slammed the Indian selectors for ignoring Mohammed Shami. Mohammed Shami who is one of the greatest Indian fast bowlers of all time last played a Test match for India in June 2023 against Australia during the 2023 World Test Championship final at the Oval. Mohammed Shami last ODI appearance was in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and his last T20I was against England in Mumbai on February 2.
Shami was ignored by the BCCI selectors for a place in the Indian team for the away series in England and then for the home series against the West Indies and South Africa. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee’s decision to keep Shami out of the Indian team was slammed by the pacer last month, and now Ganguly has joined the bandwagon.
Sourav Ganguly slams selectors for not picking Mohammed Shami.
While speaking to reporters in Kolkata on Monday November 10th ahead of the first India South Africa Test at Eden Gardens from November 14, Ganguly said that he doesn’t see any reason why Shami can’t keep playing for India. He cited the example of Shami’s performances in recent Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal and said that the 35 year old pacer is fit and is bowling exceptionally well.
Ganguly said: “Shami is bowling exceptionally well. He is fit, and we saw in the three Ranji Trophy matches, where he’s won Bengal on his own.”
Ganguly further added: “I’m sure the selectors are watching, and there is communication between Mohammad Shami and the selectors. But if you ask me, in terms of fitness and skill, it’s the Mohammed Shami we know of. So, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t keep playing Test matches, one-day cricket, and T20 cricket for India. Because that skill is enormous.”
Mohammed Shami’s stellar performances in recent Ranji Trophy games.
Mohammed Shami has been on a roll in Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He through his performances has shown that he is willing to the hard yards to come back into the national picture. So, far Shami has played in 3 matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy and in which he has picked up 15 wickets so far. In Bengal’s first match against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens, Shami dismissed three batters in the first inning and four in the second innings.
In the second match against Gujarat which was also played at the same venue, he finished with figures of 3/44 in the first innings and 5/38 in the second innings to set up a 141-run win for his side.
Despite these stellar performances, Shami was ignored not only from the senior side but was also ignored from the A side that was chosen to play against South Africa A. The message that the selectors are sending now is that Shami won’t be considered for future assignments. This just shows that selecting players on merit has gone out of the window and favouritism has been introduced now in selection of a side.
It seems quite obvious that chief selector Ajit Agarkar and current head coach Gautam Gambhir has personal agenda and vendetta against Shami and so as a result, he has not been picked for the side. One can understand, not being picked for the national side, but not being considered for India A just boggles everyone following the game. And Shami is not the only one suffering due to internal politics, there are others as well. But Shami’s name is prominent and with him being vocal has come to the attention of all.
One can only hope that Shami continues his wicket-taking spree and selectors notice it and so much so that they may be compelled to bring him into the equation. For now, his chances look bleak, but there is never say never in life and one hopes that Shami gets back into the scheme of things especially in Test cricket. One does not see him coming back in limited overs cricket that’s for sure.