India pacer Mohammed Shami has addressed the growing speculation surrounding his omission from the ODI squad for the upcoming India vs Australia series, clarifying that the decision was entirely up to the selectors, coach Gautam Gambhir, and captain Shubman Gill.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Shami said, “There have been many rumours and memes. People want to know my opinion on the non-selection for the Australia series. I will just say that getting selected is not in my hands; it’s the job of the selection committee, coach, and captain. If they feel I should be there, they will select me. I am ready and practicing.”
Shami, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy 2025, has been out of the team setup due to concerns around his fitness and form. Since his comeback earlier this year, he has picked 11 wickets in 11 ODIs at an average of 30.63, followed by a subpar IPL 2025 season where he managed only six wickets in nine games for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The 34-year-old, however, dismissed any doubts about his physical condition. “My fitness is good. I felt very comfortable and my rhythm was good. I bowled around 35 overs in the Duleep Trophy. There are no issues with my fitness,” he asserted.
Despite being left out of the squads for the England Tests and India A’s multi-day matches, Shami remains optimistic about a comeback. “When you are away from the ground, you need to stay motivated. I will continue working hard in domestic cricket,” he added.
Shami’s remarks come amid India’s ongoing rotation policy under Gambhir, with younger pacers like Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh gaining opportunities ahead of the veteran seamer.