Ajit Agarkar Warned Not to Pick Shami for England Tests

May 23, 2025: Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami appears to be heading towards an extended period of uncertainty with reports suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is unlikely to select him for the upcoming five-match Test series in England.

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Shami, who missed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia due to injury, has been struggling with fitness concerns, particularly his ability to sustain longer bowling spells essential for the rigorous demands of Test cricket in England. Despite featuring for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing IPL 2025 season, his limited bowling workload and recent form have raised red flags for selectors.

According to a report, the BCCI medical team informed the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, that Shami is currently unable to bowl at full throttle over extended periods, casting doubt over his readiness for Test cricket. A source was quoted saying,

“Shami is bowling four overs in IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but the board and selectors don’t know whether he can bowl more than 10 overs in a day. Test matches in England may demand longer spells from the pacers, and we can’t take chances.”

With Shami’s Test future hanging in the balance, other pacers are emerging as strong contenders to fill the void. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh is reportedly on the brink of earning his maiden Test call-up for the England tour. Meanwhile, Haryana’s right-arm seamer Anshul Kamboj, who boasts 74 wickets in 22 first-class matches and is already part of the India A squad touring England, is also in the mix.

The BCCI selection committee is expected to convene in the coming days to announce the squad. Alongside the bowling selections, the leadership baton is also set for discussion, with Shubman Gill the frontrunner to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s full-time Test captain, though some voices still advocate for Jasprit Bumrah’s appointment.

As the countdown to the England tour continues, the Indian cricket team is poised for a period of transition, balancing experience with the fresh talent pipeline.