Former Indian cricket captain and head coach Ravi Shastri has strongly questioned the decision to overlook experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami from the Test squad. Shastri argued that despite proving his match fitness and current form through consistent performances for Bengal in domestic matches, the veteran pacer was unfairly ignored by selectors. He emphasized that a fast bowler's actual fitness should be judged by their ability to bowl long spells on the field rather than unverified fitness reports.
Proving Worth Through Domestic Workload
Shastri highlighted that Shami regularly shouldered heavy bowling responsibilities while representing Bengal in first-class fixtures. According to the former coach, those demanding spells where the fast bowler regularly delivered 15 to 20 overs per match should have served as clear evidence of his physical readiness for international cricket. He pointed out that ignoring such robust domestic contributions disregards the true physical demands handled by a dedicated competitor.
Questioning the True Meaning of Fitness
Expressing deep dismay during a media interaction before an ODI fixture, Shastri questioned the value of gym routines if a player cannot sustain 10 or 12 overs in actual match conditions. He noted that having a hard-working fast bowler actively delivering overs in domestic matches makes his omission from the national side particularly frustrating, especially when teams desperately require seasoned campaigners to navigate gruelling international calendars.
Belief in Shami Remaining Capabilities
Shastri admitted that it was genuinely unfortunate to see a player who served the nation with such distinction pushed aside when he still had plenty of competitive cricket left. He expressed absolute certainty that Shami possessed the potential to add another 30 or 40 Test wickets to his tally and asserted that the bowler deserved regular selection over the preceding 12 months to anchor the red-ball bowling unit.
