“Don't see any reason” - Sourav Ganguly lashes out at the selection committee for Mohammed Shami’s non-selection

Former Indian captain and analyst Sourav Ganguly has lashed out at the Indian selection committee for Mohammed Shami’s omission from the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.

While the first Test is scheduled to start on Friday, November 14, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the second and final Test will commence on Saturday, November 22, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati

Speaking at an event in Kolkata ahead of the first Test, Ganguly made it clear that Shami has been bowling exceptionally well, as seen in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. He also added that he doesn’t see any valid reason behind his non-selection. Notably, Shami scalped 15 wickets from three Ranji games while he missed the fourth round.

“Shami is great, he’s bowling exceptionally well. You saw in the 2-3 Ranji trophy matches where he's won Bengal on his own. I'm sure the selectors are watching. I'm sure there is a communication between Shami and selectors, I don't know. But if you ask me in terms of fitness and skill, it's Mohammed Shami we know of. So I really don't see any reason why he can't be playing Test matches, ODIs or T20Is for India because that skill is enormous,” Ganguly said at an event in Kolkata.

Most recently, Shami’s childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, also slammed the Indian selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, for not having proper communication with the pacer despite his exceptional performances of late.

"I think they've made up their minds that they won't pick him for now, and in my view, that's completely wrong. When you select a Test team, it should be based on Ranji Trophy performances. If you're selecting for Tests using T20 metrics, that's not right. But here, it looks like the decisions are pre-decided. All this talk about performance or fitness is just an excuse. Saying 'he's unfit' or 'needs match practice' - that's not true. They already have a plan about who they want to play and who they don't," Badruddin said recently.

It’s worth noting that Shami last played for Team India in the ICC Champions Trophy in March 2025, and since then, he has been excluded from the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy 2025, Asia Cup, West Indies Test series, and Australia limited-overs series.

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