'Don’t Think His Workload Is...': Ajit Agarkar Explains Decision To Omit Mohammed Shami From Team India's Squad For England Tour

'Don’t Think His Workload Is...': Ajit Agarkar Explains Decision To Omit Mohammed Shami From Team India's Squad For England Tour

The Bengal seamer hasn't played a Test since the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June 2023. The veteran also took over a year to return from the ankle injury. Although Shami bowled well in the domestic matches leading up to his international return, he has struggled for rhythm in IPL 2025.

Aayushman VishwanathanUpdated: Saturday, May 24, 2025, 04:18 PM IST
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Ajit Agarkar and Mohammed Shami. | (Image Credits: X)

One of the most notable exclusions from the squad for the England tour proved to be that of veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami. Among the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, the right-arm seamer missed out on selection as Ajit Agarkar said he is still not quite convinced about Shami's fitness.

The Bengal seamer hasn't played a Test since the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June 2023. The veteran also took over a year to return from the ankle injury. Although Shami bowled well in the domestic matches leading up to his international return, he has struggled for rhythm in IPL 2025.

Speaking at the presser on Saturday, the former Indian fast bowler said Shami's workload is not where it needs to be, prompting the selectors to go with who is available. He said, as quoted by Wisden.

"He’s been trying to get fit for the series ... but I think he’s had a little bit of a setback over the last week or so, and he’s got some MRIs done. And like you mentioned, I don’t think he was going to be able to play five Tests. At the moment, I don’t think his workload is where it needs to be, so it’s just the medical guys who’ve told us that he’s been ruled out of this series."

"Unfortunately, we were hoping that he’s available for some part of the series, at least. But if he’s not fit at the moment, it’s very difficult to keep waiting. It’s rather planned with the guys that are fit and available. So yeah, it’s unfortunate. A bowler like him, you always want to try and pick, but at the moment, he’s not fit to be picked."

Team India squad for England tour

Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh.

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