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Mohammed Shami, Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar (Source: AFP)
Mohammed Shami's India career appears to be at crossroads. Despite being 36, Shami has continued to take wickets in domestic cricket and has shown that he still has the hunger to compete at the highest level.
Shami last played for India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final. His last Test appearance came much earlier against Australia in 2023 at the Oval.
However, the ace pacer has continued to work hard away from the international spotlight. From the Ranji Trophy to the Duleep Trophy, the experienced pacer has kept turning up and producing performances.
Still, the BCCI selection panel, headed by Ajit Agarkar, has kept him away from the team. But former India bowling coach Bharat Arun believes veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami deserves a second chance.
BCCI shouldn't have closed Mohammed Shami's selection doors, feels Bharat Arun
Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun has strongly backed Shami and questioned the decision to remove the experienced pacer from the scheme of things. Arun reckons the BCCI selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, should not have closed the door on Shami simply because of his age, as he is still delivering the goods with the ball in domestic circuit.
"They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him. When someone is performing, age shouldn’t be a factor. You see his durability. It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball." Bharat Arun told The Indian Express.
He also pointed to Shami's durability and his continued love for bowling. According to him, the fast bowler remains someone who wants the ball in his hands, whether he is playing a competitive match or bowling in the nets.
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Why was Mohammed Shami left out of India's plans?
Mohammed Shami's absence from the Indian team has been linked to fitness issues and the selectors' decision to build a younger pace attack.
The fast bowler suffered a serious setback after the 2023 ODI World Cup. After taking 24 wickets in just seven matches, he was forced to undergo surgery and spent a long period recovering from an ankle injury.
He returned to the Indian ODI team for the 2025 Champions Trophy, but he has not played for the national side since the final against New Zealand.
Fitness has therefore become a major consideration in the case of Shmai as the selectors need players who can handle the workload, particularly in Test matches and across multiple formats.
There has also been some frustration over communication. Shami has previously expressed disappointment at not receiving clear information about his international future, while the BCCI's position has been that the team selection is based on fitness, availability, and performance rather than reputation.
Bharat Arun's close relation with Mohammed Shami
Bharat Arun’s strong support for Shami is understood given their history together. Arun worked as India’s bowling coach from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2017 to 2021. During his second stint, Mohammed Shami developed as a complete bowler.
Shami took 119 wickets in 32 matches during that period (2017 to 2021) at an economy rate of 3.16. He also became the highest pacer wicket-taker for India during that era under Bharat Arun’s leadership and guidance.
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