"Just an Excuse": Mohammed Shami's Coach Slams BCCI and Agarkar for South Africa Snub

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Mohammed Shami’s cricket career is being threatened as he was recently snubbed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The world-class right-arm fast bowler might not be a part of the India squad for the upcoming South Africa series. However, Shami’s coach, Mohammed Badruddin, considered this decision unfair and cited the cricket committee’s move as pre-decided.

Coach Alleges "Pre-Decided" Selection Plan

Mohammed Shami's coach, Mohammed Badruddin, expressed his frustration over the pacer’s exclusion. Badruddin accused the Ajit Agarkar-led BCCI selection committee of overlooking the senior bowler.

He said, “They are ignoring him (Shami), that's clear. There's no other reason that makes sense to me. He's not unfit - when a player is playing Test matches, taking 15 wickets in two games, then he doesn't look unfit from anywhere. The selectors are just overlooking him, that's it. Why they are doing that, only they can say.”

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Fitness Claims Dismissed Despite Strong Ranji Trophy Performance

The coach suggested that Test squad selections were wrongly influenced by T20 performances. He criticized this approach, saying, T20 metrics are not dependable when selecting players for Test matches. Badruddin argued that selections should be based on the Ranji Trophy performance. He believes the selectors "already know which players they want, and they just stick to that list." 

Badruddin also laid out the right metrics for selecting a player, saying, “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.”

To sum up, Mohammed Shami's exclusion was previously linked to fitness concerns. However, his coach, Mohammed Badruddin, has discarded these claims completely. Shami demonstrated excellent form and fitness in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season and took 15 wickets in his first three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal.

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The coach argued that when a player plays in a test match and takes 15 wickets in just matches, he cannot be considered unfit. Shami's continued dismissal has raised serious questions about the selection process.