RP Singh, new BCCI selector, tries to pacify Mohammad Shami after his open attack on Ajit Agarkar for his non-selection

India pacer Mohammad Shami and BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar have been taking pot shots at one another over the issue of his selection in the Indian team. Shami, who made his return to the Indian team in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in March after more than 20 months on the sideline, was left out of the Indian squad for the Australia tour.

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Shami, who was the highest wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup, suffered an ankle injury and was out of action until his return to action in domestic cricket before the Asia Cup. He had a decent outing in India’s Champions Trophy win, including a fifer in the tournament. 

Despite him not being picked in the Indian Test squad to England tour due to his fitness issues, Shami was also surprisingly left out of the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia. This despite Shami claiming that he was fit and raring to go. 

In response to a question on Shami, Agarkar stated that he has no update on the experienced pacer and has not played enough cricket in recent times. Shami responded that selectors should ask him about his fitness level and questioned why he is good enough to play red-ball cricket but not one-day cricket. 

Later, Agarkar, a former fast bowler, declined to read too much into Shami's remarks but suggested he may contact the 35-year-old. Shami, who made an impressive start to his Ranji Trophy season with a seven-wicket haul against Uttarakhand in the first round, says his performance speaks for itself. 

RP Singh has a lengthy chat with Mohammad Shami in Kolkata during a recent Ranji Trophy match

On the sidelines of the current Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Gujarat at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, RP Singh, the newest member of the BCCI's senior men's selection committee, reportedly had a lengthy conversation with out-of-favor India pacer Mohammad Shami.  

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Last month, Singh became a member of the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar. Days have passed since Shami and Agarkar's media interactions on the bowler's recent rejections. 

The development follows Shami's controversial accusation that the Indian selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, had not contacted him about his non-selection.

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