Ganguly Backs Shami Inclusion After India Snub
Former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has publicly urged the selectors of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to bring back veteran paceman Mohammed Shami into the national squad across all formats. Ganguly said he considers Shami “fit and bowling exceptionally well” despite the 35-year-old being omitted for the imminent two-Test series against South Africa national cricket team.
Strong Endorsement
Ganguly stated that he sees no reason why Shami cannot continue representing India in Tests, One-Day Internationals and T20s. He pointed to Shami’s recent domestic performances for Bengal cricket team, where the pacer has reportedly featured prominently and shown sharpness in skills and fitness.
Selection Puzzle
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, left Shami out of the upcoming series, citing fitness and workload concerns despite his domestic form. This exclusion has triggered debate among fans and pundits about criteria for selection, especially when a senior player is in apparent form yet overlooked.
Bigger Picture
Ganguly’s remarks spotlight wider questions in Indian cricket about managing experience versus fresh talent, balancing fitness windows and maintaining performance thresholds. His call also raises the question of how selectors assess value beyond raw numbers — including factors such as adaptability, team balance and longevity.
