Mohammad Kaif questions the selectors for Mohammed Shami’s constant exclusion from the national side

Mohammad Kaif questioned Mohammed Shami’s exclusion from the national side due to 'fitness' concerns, arguing, "How else do you prove fitness?" He cited Shami's 20 wickets in 4 Ranji games as proof, calling the pacer a "once-in-a-generation" talent who is being unfairly ignored by selectors.

By Rui 25 Nov 2025 in Cricket

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Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has questioned the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee for excluding the star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami from the national team quite frequently, despite him performing well in the domestic circuit.

Speaking exclusively on his YouTube channel, Kaif reckoned that Shami has been constantly amongst the wickets column and is fit enough to bowl longer spells. He went on to question the selection committee for the actual reason behind Shami’s constant non-selection.

"I’m not ready to accept it. If he is playing Ranji, he is signalling that I’m consistently taking wickets and bowling longer spells, how else do you prove fitness? By playing, by bowling and taking wickets. So, I’m not sure what is the reason behind not playing him. This was a good chance to play Shami, given Bumrah is not there as his workload is being managed,” Mohammad Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Interestingly, the selection committee has decided to rest the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa. However, Shami hasn’t been selected despite the duo’s absence in the ODI squad.

"There is also T20 World Cup in 2026, so it makes sense to keep him (Bumrah) for T20s and give a break from ODIs. He played the T20Is in Australia but not ODIs. Siraj is not there either, so Mohammed Shami could’ve been given an opportunity. Shami is an experienced player and the youngsters would’ve benefitted with his presence," he added.

"If he is playing and struggling to take wickets, the selectors can say he is not playing. But that’s not the case. Whenever Shami is playing, he is taking wickets. He is a once in a generation player, not that far from Bumrah. He took 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup. Shami took those wickets in flat pitches. If you include him and is struggling to field or for wickets, it makes sense to drop him and look at new players," he concluded.

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