# Ravi Shastri Slams Team Management Over Mohammed Shami Omission, Says He Deserved Better

> Former head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed strong disappointment over Mohammed Shami's continued exclusion from India's Test setup. He argued that Shami proved his fitness and form through heavy workloads in domestic cricket.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-11-08 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/mohammad-shami-ko-najarandaz-kiye-jane-par-ravi-shastri-ka-foota-gussa-58121 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Mohammed Shami, Ravi Shastri, Indian Cricket Team, Test Cricket, BCCI

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.

## What this means for you
This discussion surrounding national team selection holds practical significance for cricket followers and future squad strategies.

- **Impact on National Selection:** Questions regarding the treatment of senior players influence how upcoming Test squads manage experience versus youth.
- **Value of Domestic Performance:** The debate highlights the ongoing discussion around whether heavy domestic workloads should carry greater weight in international call-ups.

## Why this happened
This discussion stems from ongoing debates surrounding national selection criteria and how player fitness is evaluated by team management.

- **Selection Policies:** The debate highlights differences of opinion regarding whether consistent domestic performances should guarantee immediate international recalls.
- **Fitness Metrics:** Discrepancies often arise between formal gym assessments and the physical endurance demonstrated through heavy bowling workloads in first-class matches.
- **Value of Experience:** Former players frequently emphasize the irreplaceable nature of seasoned fast bowlers during demanding international tours and series.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which player did Ravi Shastri defend in his recent statements?
Ravi Shastri spoke in support of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami.

### 2. What domestic performance did Shastri highlight?
He pointed out Shami's heavy bowling workloads and consistent appearances for Bengal in first-class cricket.

### 3. What did Shastri consider the true measure of fitness?
He stated that a bowler's ability to deliver long spells during a match is the real test of fitness.

### 4. In which format does Shastri believe Shami should have played?
He believes Shami should have been included in the Test team over the past 12 months.

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