Twitter in disbelief as Shami rubbishes off fitness issues being reason for not being picked against Australia

Venkateswaran N

ByVenkateswaran N,SportsCafe Editor

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After not being picked in India’s five-Test tour of England earlier this year, Mohammed Shami has been left out of the white-ball tour of Australia. The pacer, while talking to the media, made it clear that he did not have any fitness issues, and the selectors have not taken any update from him.

Mohammed Shami and Rohit Sharma
‌Mohammed Shami’s fitness issues have been doing the rounds ever since the pacer returned from an ankle surgery and a subsequent knee injury. The pacer had a successful surgery after India’s campaign in the ICC ODI World Cup in November 2023, before making his return to international cricket during the home series against England earlier this year.

He was also part of India’s successful ICC Champions Trophy squad, ending as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Men in Blue in Dubai. The Bengal pacer picked up nine wickets, including a fifer, from five matches at an average of 25.88 and a strike rate of 27.33.

Shami, then, featured in the Indian Premier League, although he had an ordinary outing, taking only six wickets from nine matches at a poor average and economy of 56.16 and 11.23, respectively. He was left out of the subsequent five-Test England tour, with the chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, citing his lack of first-class game time as the reason behind his omission.

Now, he has been left out of the ODI format as well, with the pacer not finding a place in the 15-member Indian squad for the three-match series Down Under. The Indian pacer rubbished off claims relating to his fitness being the reason for his omission in a briefing with the media.

The pacer explained that he was part of the Champions Trophy squad, played in the IPL, and most recently played in the Duleep Trophy as well. He emphasised that not playing for the country doesn't mean that he is unfit and out of touch, and he can play only if he gets picked in the side.

Shami also pointed out that he has not updated the selectors regarding his fitness, nor has he been queried about the same. He also made it clear that it was not his responsibility to ensure who updates what, and he has proved his fitness by featuring in the domestic matches.

Twitter was in disbelief as Shami went about answering queries surrounding his fitness concerns.

 

Some words

No one asked

What's my fault!

The greatest

Heartbreaking

It hurts

It did not?

Clearly

Can we please

Brave!

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