There was no discussion regarding him: Ajit Agarkar shares blunt remark on Mohammed Shami’s snub from Afghanistan series

Team India chief selector Ajit Agarkar opened up on the snub of fast bowler Mohammed Shami from India’s home series against Afghanistan. Notably, the BCCI recently announced  the squads for the ODI series and one-off Test against the neighbouring nation starting on June 6. While the selection committee gave a chance to several new names, several veterans were either dropped or rested from the same. One such name amongst them was fast bowler Mohammed Shami who was considered for a potential return to the national squad.

Speaking on his snub, Agarkar said that Shami’s name was not even considered and there was no discussion about it. "As far as we have been told, at this point, his body is allowing him to play T20s. I know he has played a domestic season this year. But the information that I have got, is that at this point, it's T20 cricket that he is sort of ready for. So, there was no discussion regarding him," Agarkar said in the press conference.

Shami has had a productive domestic season for Bengal across formats as well as a positive IPL campaign for the Lucknow Super Giants. Apart from him, names such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj have also been rested, while youngsters like Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar have received their maiden calls.

Ajit Agarkar and Mohammed Shami have had clashes in the past

Notably, the veteran pacer has time and again called out the team management for the lack of communication and clarity. He has also disputed the claims of him being unfit. Shami was last featured for the Indian side in the Champions Trophy 2025, where he returned after a long-term injury hiatus. However, he wasn’t considered for the white-ball series against Australia and Men in Blue’s subsequent home season.

"Let him (Agarkar) say whatever he wants. You have seen how I bowled. It is all in front of your eyes," Shami had said after a Ranji Trophy clash against Uttarakhand last year. He has played seven List A games in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy as well as all the matches for his IPL team, Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2026.