Shami’s last appearance for India was in March 2025 in an ODI match.
Shami’s last appearance for India was in March 2025 in an ODI match. Despite toiling hard and proving his fitness in the 2025-26 domestic season, he failed to earn a national call-up.
Currently, Shami is plying his trade in the IPL 2026 for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). He has claimed 10 wickets in 12 matches while bowling at an economy rate of 8.80.
When asked about Shami’s snub for the Afghanistan series, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar said they were informed the senior pacer is only ready for T20 cricket, effectively ruling him out of Test and ODI contention.
“As far as we have been told, at this point, his body is allowing him to [play only the shortest format]. I know he has played the domestic season this year. But the information I have is that, at this point, T20 cricket is what he is ready for. So, there was no discussion regarding Shami’s selection,” Agarkar told media after the announcement of India’s squads for Afghanistan series.
Agarkar’s explanation didn’t sit well with former India opener Wasim Jaffer, who called the reasoning “rubbish” and “disrespectful” towards a player of Shami’s stature.
Jaffer argued that the selection committee is using "fitness" as an excuse to systematically phase out one of India's greatest fast bowlers.
“It’s rubbish (Ajit Agarkar’s explanation). We are talking about Mohammad Shami, not just any player. It’s disrespectful to Mohammad Shami. You see, this guy is performing, and you say he’s only fit for T20. It’s an excuse. Be clear if you don’t consider him, you, ‘We have overlooked him.’ That would be a fair statement. He is coming after guiding Bengal single-handedly to the Ranji Trophy (season) semi-final, the way he spearheaded the bowling," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
He also highlighted the double standard by drawing a direct comparison to how the BCCI handles Jasprit Bumrah.
“What if Bumrah gets injured, and he comes back? Would you treat him the same way? Mohammad Shami is in the same bracket. Go and ask any international batter, and they would rank him on top. It’s disrespectful for the services he provided to India," Jaffer added.
Punjab pacer Gurnoor Brar was preferred as the backup pacer behind Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna for the one-off Test against Afghanistan.
India squad for one-off Test against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey
India squad for Afghanistan ODI series: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vc), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey