Shastri slams selectors over Shami snub: 'He had 30-40 wickets left'
Synopsis
Ravi Shastri's public broadside at the selectors is rare and pointed — a former head coach arguing on record that Mohammed Shami, bowling 15-20 overs a game for Bengal, was denied a Test return he had earned. With Shami having retired, the criticism lands as an uncomfortable question about whether India's selection process values metrics over match craft.
Key Takeaways
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri publicly criticised selectors for not giving Mohammed Shami another Test opportunity.
Shastri pointed to Shami's workload for Bengal — bowling 15-20 overs per match — as proof of match fitness.
Shastri argued Shami still had ' 30 to 40 wickets ' left in him at the international level.
The former coach stressed the value of Shami's experience as injury cover during a demanding international calendar.
Remarks were made on Sony Sports Network ahead of the 2nd ODI on 7 November 2026 .
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has publicly criticised the national selection committee's decision to deny Mohammed Shami a return to India's Test side, arguing that the veteran fast bowler's sustained performances for Bengal in domestic cricket were proof enough of his match readiness. Shastri made the remarks while speaking on Sony Sports Network ahead of the 2nd ODI, in what amounted to one of the most pointed critiques of the selectors from within the Indian cricket establishment.
Shastri's Case for Shami
Shastri drew a sharp distinction between gym fitness and the demands of competitive cricket, arguing that a bowler's ability to sustain long spells in matches is the only reliable measure of readiness. He pointed to Shami's consistent workload for Bengal — bowling regularly and shouldering substantial overs — as evidence that fitness concerns were overstated.
'What's the point of being fit in the gym if you can't bowl 10 or 12 overs in a match? Here, you've got a workhorse who's bowling for you. So, I'm a little disappointed that he didn't get another go,' Shastri said.
Domestic Record Dismissed, Shastri Argues
Shastri dismissed the fitness-related press reports that had reportedly surrounded Shami's case, noting that the pacer had appeared in every game for Bengal and regularly bowled 15 to 20 overs per match. He contended that those workloads, sustained in first-class cricket, should have settled any doubts about the bowler's physical condition.
'I've heard all these press reports about his fitness not being good, but he was playing every game for Bengal. He was bowling 15-20 overs. What more do you want a player to do to prove his fitness?' Shastri said.
The Experience Factor
Beyond the immediate question of Shami's fitness, Shastri raised a strategic argument: the value of having a seasoned fast bowler available as cover in the event of an injury crisis during a gruelling international schedule. He stressed that experienced pacers are not easily replaced, and that Shami's presence in the squad would have provided India with a crucial buffer.
'If he's in good form and has a good IPL, and one of your senior bowlers suddenly breaks down, you'll be looking for experience. But you've got a player like him there,' Shastri said.
A Career Cut Short, Shastri Believes
The former head coach — himself a member of India's iconic 1983 World Cup-winning squad — said he believed Shami still had plenty left to offer at the highest level. He expressed regret that the pacer, who has been among India's most decorated fast bowlers in Test cricket, was not given the chance to add to his tally over the past year.
'It's sad when someone who's played so well for the country has to go. I definitely thought he had another 30 or 40 wickets in him. He should have played in the last 12 months and perhaps should have been in the side as a Test-match bowler,' Shastri added. Notably, this criticism from a former head coach carries significant institutional weight, and comes amid broader debate over India's fast-bowling succession planning.
Point of View
The selectors owe a clearer public explanation of what the fitness threshold actually is. The timing, after Shami's retirement, makes the critique both urgent and unanswerable. India's fast-bowling bench depth is not so rich that discarding proven experience without transparent justification can be treated as routine administration.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Ravi Shastri criticise the Indian selectors over Mohammed Shami?
Shastri criticised the selectors for not giving Shami another chance in India's Test setup despite the pacer regularly playing for Bengal and bowling 15-20 overs per match, which Shastri argued was sufficient proof of match fitness. He said he was 'a little disappointed' that Shami did not get another go.
What did Ravi Shastri say about Mohammed Shami's fitness?
Shastri dismissed reports questioning Shami's fitness, saying the pacer had been playing every game for Bengal and bowling substantial overs. He argued that the ability to bowl long spells in competitive matches, not gym fitness, is the real measure of a fast bowler's readiness.
How many more wickets did Shastri believe Shami could have taken?
Shastri said he believed Shami had 'another 30 or 40 wickets in him' and that he should have played in the last 12 months as a Test-match bowler. He described it as 'sad' that a player who had served India so well had to retire without getting that opportunity.
Where did Ravi Shastri make these comments about Shami?
Shastri made the remarks on Sony Sports Network ahead of the 2nd ODI on 7 November 2026. He spoke in his capacity as a cricket commentator and analyst.
What was Shastri's broader argument about Shami's value to India?
Beyond fitness, Shastri argued that Shami's experience made him a vital insurance option — if a senior bowler broke down during the international season, India would need an experienced replacement and Shami was available. He also cited Shami's potential strong IPL form as a reason to keep the door open.
