Mohammed Shami's coach slams BCCI chief selector for 'ignoring' pacer

Despite his strong start to the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season, the BCCI selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar continues to ignore veteran pacer Mohammed Shami.

Shami was ignored again and not picked for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa on Wednesday. He had last represented India in the Champions Trophy and donned the whites in 2023.

In response, Shami's personal coach Mohammed Badruddin slammed the BCCI selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar.

According to Badruddin, the selectors should stop citing fitness as an excuse, claiming the BCCI has been deliberately ignoring Shami.

Also Read: Has Mohammed Shami played his last test match for Team India?

"My thought is simple. They are ignoring him, that’s clear. There’s no other reason that makes sense to me. He’s not unfit. When a player is playing Test matches, taking 15 wickets in two games, then he doesn’t look unfit from anywhere. I don’t think he’s unfit," said Badruddin in a recent interaction.

"The selectors are just overlooking him, that’s it. Why they are doing that, only they can say. But I really thought he would be picked for this series, because it’s in India and only two fast bowlers will play anyway. Still, he should have been in the squad. That would’ve helped reduce Bumrah’s workload  because Bumrah can’t play three-and-a-half Tests in a row. They should’ve kept Shami for rotation, that’s what I feel," he added.