The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has intervened to manage the growing rift between veteran pacer Mohammed Shami and Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar, following a series of public exchanges over Shami’s fitness and selection status.
The controversy began when Agarkar claimed that Shami was not yet fit for international cricket — the reason behind his absence from the national squad since the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. However, Shami publicly refuted those claims, insisting he was match-ready and had received no official update from the selectors.
“About giving an update, it’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update. My job is to go to the NCA, prepare, and play matches,” Shami said. He pointed out that he had already been featuring in domestic cricket, including the Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy for Bengal, questioning how he could play there if he wasn’t fit.
Agarkar responded, clarifying that he had spoken to Shami multiple times and that the medical team had advised against his immediate return to international cricket. “Team India would’ve loved to have him in Australia and England before, but that couldn’t happen,” Agarkar said.
Following the exchange, Shami hit back after taking 7 wickets against Uttarakhand, stating, “Let him say whatever he wants.”
Amid rising tensions, the BCCI dispatched selector Rudra Pratap Singh (RP Singh) to Kolkata to mediate. According to Sportskeeda, RP Singh met Shami after the second day’s play of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat at Eden Gardens. Both players share roots in Uttar Pradesh, which the board hopes will help ease the situation.
The BCCI’s move signals a clear intent to prevent the disagreement from escalating further, especially as India’s preparations for upcoming international fixtures continue.
