In the high-stakes world of Indian cricket, few stories stir as much passion as the ongoing saga of Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer, a proven match-winner with over 450 international wickets, finds himself on the fringes once again. Despite a blistering start to the Ranji Trophy season, Shami has been overlooked for India's Test squad against South Africa. His childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, hasn't held back, firing sharp accusations at the BCCI and Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. He claims the board's fitness concerns are nothing but a smokescreen for a decision already etched in stone.

Shami's Red-Hot Return to Domestic Glory

Shami's exclusion hits hard because his form couldn't be more convincing. Returning from a frustrating injury layoff that sidelined him for much of 2024, the 35-year-old has roared back in the Ranji Trophy 2025/26. In just three outings for Bengal, he's snared 15 wickets, dismantling batting line-ups with his trademark swing and seam movement. Against Uttarakhand, he bagged seven scalps, then followed it up with eight more versus Gujarat, propelling his team to back-to-back triumphs.

These aren't mere cameos; they're statements of intent. Shami's economy rate hovers under three, and his strike rate screams efficiency—proof positive that the fire in his belly burns as fiercely as ever. Last seen in India's whites during the 2023 World Test Championship final, where he terrorized Australia, Shami has been itching for a recall. His domestic exploits echo the warrior spirit that earned him fan adoration and team reliance in crunch moments, from the 2023 ODI World Cup to countless Border-Gavaskar hauls.

A Familiar Snub: Echoes of Past Oversights

This isn't the first time Shami's been left in the cold. Earlier this year, he missed out on the home Tests against England and West Indies, with selectors whispering about workload and recovery. He bounced back for the Champions Trophy in March 2025, claiming nine wickets in the tournament's final against New Zealand. Yet, the pattern persists. Even India A's tour of South Africa, meant as a proving ground, shut its doors. The senior Test squad announcement on November 5, 2025, for the two-match series at home rubbed salt in the wound—no Shami, despite the pace attack's need for experience on seaming tracks.

Badruddin, who has groomed Shami since his early days in Uttar Pradesh's dusty maidans, sees red. Speaking to media outlets, he painted a picture of deliberate neglect. "They're ignoring him—that's crystal clear," the coach fumed. He pointed out that Shami's relentless bowling in Ranji—full spells, no visible rust—shatters any fitness narrative. "When a bowler grabs 15 wickets in three games, how can you call him unfit? It's laughable."

Unmasking the Excuses: Pre-Decided Line-Ups or T20 Bias?

At the heart of Badruddin's tirade is a deeper grievance: the selection process feels rigged. He alleges the Ajit Agarkar committee had Shami's fate sealed before the Ranji ball even swung. "They've made up their minds not to pick him, and that's flat-out wrong," Badruddin asserted. Fitness talk, he insists, is "just an excuse" to justify a pre-planned squad. Why prioritize unproven talents over a battle-tested ace?

The coach didn't stop there, calling out what he sees as a T20 hangover infiltrating Test cricket. "Test teams should rise from Ranji soil, not T20 highlight reels," he argued. In an era where white-ball blitzes often eclipse red-ball grind, this critique resonates. Shami's exclusion coincides with inclusions of flashier, younger pacers who've shone in IPL auctions but lack his endurance in five-day marathons. Is India building for tomorrow at the cost of today? Badruddin wonders if the board's rotation policy has morphed into outright sidelining, leaving legends like Shami in limbo.

The Bigger Picture: A Call for Fair Play in Indian Cricket

Shami's plight isn't isolated—it's a symptom of cricket's evolving dynamics. At 35, he's no spring chicken, but legends like James Anderson bowled into their 40s with board backing. Shami, too, craves rotation, not rejection. Badruddin revealed the pacer is "disturbed" but undeterred, channeling frustration into nets. Yet, the silence from BCCI stings; no call, no clarity—just a squad list that ignores his roar.

This controversy demands introspection. If Ranji is the true Test feeder, as Badruddin urges, then Shami's haul demands debate. Fans flood social media with #JusticeForShami, questioning Agarkar's "brainless" calls and pleading for merit over agendas. As India gears up for South Africa—a series that could test seamers' mettle—Shami's absence looms large. Will the board rethink, or has the door creaked shut on one of its finest?

In the end, Badruddin's voice amplifies a universal cry: reward the grind, honor the proven. Shami's story reminds us that cricket thrives on fairness, not favoritism. Until then, Bengal's pitches will echo with unanswered questions—and perhaps, a few more wickets in defiance.

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