Mohammed Shami ended his 13-year Test journey after capturing 229 wickets in 64 matches for India, finishing as the country's sixth-highest wicket-taking fast bowler. Despite bowling extended spells and claiming 14 wickets in three Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal, selectors kept him out of the national squad for the past 12 months. Ravi Shastri publicly criticized this omission, insisting that actual match overs in domestic competition proved the 36-year-old's fitness far better than gym training. Moving forward, the veteran fast bowler will continue to make himself available exclusively for white-ball cricket.
Key points
National selectors kept Mohammed Shami out of the Test squad over the past 12 months desp…: National selectors kept Mohammed Shami out of the Test squad over the past 12 months despite his domestic performances.
Ravi Shastri argued that long bowling spells in domestic matches are a truer test of fitn…: Ravi Shastri argued that long bowling spells in domestic matches are a truer test of fitness than gym work.
The 36-year-old pacer retired from Test cricket on Friday but intends to continue playing…: The 36-year-old pacer retired from Test cricket on Friday but intends to continue playing white-ball cricket.
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Former India head coach
Ravi Shastri is disappointed that
Mohammed Shami did not get another chance in India's Test team before announcing his retirement from the format. Shastri believes the senior fast bowler had done enough to prove his fitness through his performances in domestic cricket. He pointed out that Shami regularly played for Bengal and bowled long spells despite questions about his fitness.
Shastri said playing in the gym and bowling in an actual match were two different things. According to him, a bowler's ability to bowl 10-12 overs in a match should be a better test of fitness.
“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 on Sony Sports Network ahead of the second ODI.
The former India coach also questioned what more Shami needed to do to convince the selectors that he was ready to play international cricket.
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