Mohammed Shami “disturbed” by the constant omission from the Indian Test squad

Indian star pacer Mohammed Shami’s childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, has slammed the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee for not selecting the ace seamer for the forthcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.

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Notably, India is all set to lock horns with South Africa in the two-match Test series, starting on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Later, the action shifts to Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, starting on Saturday, November 22.

Speaking exclusively to India Today, Badruddin has emphasized that the selection committee is completely ignoring Shami despite him picking up 15 wickets in the first two rounds of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. 

“They are ignoring him, that’s clear. There’s no other reason that makes sense to me. When a player is playing Test-level cricket, taking 15 wickets in two games, he doesn’t look unfit from anywhere. The selectors are just overlooking him, that’s it,” Mohammed Badruddin said in an interview with India Today. 

Furthermore, Badruddin also asserted that the ace pacer is disturbed by the constant non-selection in the national team. Notably, Shami last played international cricket in the ICC Champions Trophy way back in March 2025.

“Obviously, he’s disturbed. Anyone would be. When you’re performing and still not getting picked, it’s frustrating. He’ll make such a comeback that it will silence everyone. If you’re not picking him now despite his form, then stop saying you select based on performance,” he concluded.

Since the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Shami has missed two consecutive Test series in England and against the West Indies at home. Interestingly, he was excluded from the ODI series against Australia Down Under.

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India’s Test squad vs South Africa: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK) (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.

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