Would you treat Bumrah the same way as Shami? Ex-India batter slams Ajit Agarkar
Wasim Jaffer has criticised Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI after Mohammed Shami was left out again for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. He called the explanation disrespectful and questioned whether Jasprit Bumrah would be treated the same way.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has slammed the chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI for their treatment of Mohammed Shami after the Indian pacer was once again excluded from India selection. Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 and has since not been considered for selection. He once again missed out on getting a spot in India's squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series.
The pacer has since gone on to perform well on the domestic circuit, leading Bengal to the Ranji Trophy semi-final. Speaking to the media after India unveiled their squad on May 19, Ajit Agarkar revealed that Mohammed Shami was not considered for selection in the longer format on this occasion either. Agarkar said that Shami is only good at playing T20 at the moment.
Jaffer slammed Agarkar and called the chief selector's explanation rubbish. The former opener said that the selection committee needs to be clear whether Shami is being overlooked.
“It’s rubbish (Ajit Agarkar’s explanation). We are talking about Mohammad Shami, not just any player. It’s disrespectful to Mohammad Shami. You see, this guy is performing, and you say he’s only fit for T20. It’s an excuse. Be clear if you don’t consider him, you, ‘We have overlooked him.’ That would be a fair statement. He is coming after guiding Bengal single-handedly to the Ranji Trophy (season) semi-final, the way he spearheaded the bowling," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Shami picked up 37 wickets from 7 matches during Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He also got 16 wickets from seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches last season and 15 from seven during the Vijay Hazare trophy.
'SHAMI IS IN SAME BRACKET AS BUMRAH'
Jaffer said that Bumrah and Shami are in the same bracket when it comes to their skills. Jaffer asked if BCCI would treat Bumrah the same way as Shami if he had been in a similar situation.
“What if Bumrah gets injured, and he comes back? Would you treat him the same way? Mohammad Shami is in the same bracket. Go and ask any international batter, and they would rank him on top. It’s disrespectful for the services he provided to India," he concluded.
Shami has picked up 10 wickets from 12 matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
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Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has slammed the chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI for their treatment of Mohammed Shami after the Indian pacer was once again excluded from India selection. Shami last played for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 and has since not been considered for selection. He once again missed out on getting a spot in India's squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series.
The pacer has since gone on to perform well on the domestic circuit, leading Bengal to the Ranji Trophy semi-final. Speaking to the media after India unveiled their squad on May 19, Ajit Agarkar revealed that Mohammed Shami was not considered for selection in the longer format on this occasion either. Agarkar said that Shami is only good at playing T20 at the moment.
Jaffer slammed Agarkar and called the chief selector's explanation rubbish. The former opener said that the selection committee needs to be clear whether Shami is being overlooked.
“It’s rubbish (Ajit Agarkar’s explanation). We are talking about Mohammad Shami, not just any player. It’s disrespectful to Mohammad Shami. You see, this guy is performing, and you say he’s only fit for T20. It’s an excuse. Be clear if you don’t consider him, you, ‘We have overlooked him.’ That would be a fair statement. He is coming after guiding Bengal single-handedly to the Ranji Trophy (season) semi-final, the way he spearheaded the bowling," Jaffer said on his YouTube channel.
Shami picked up 37 wickets from 7 matches during Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He also got 16 wickets from seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches last season and 15 from seven during the Vijay Hazare trophy.
'SHAMI IS IN SAME BRACKET AS BUMRAH'
Jaffer said that Bumrah and Shami are in the same bracket when it comes to their skills. Jaffer asked if BCCI would treat Bumrah the same way as Shami if he had been in a similar situation.
“What if Bumrah gets injured, and he comes back? Would you treat him the same way? Mohammad Shami is in the same bracket. Go and ask any international batter, and they would rank him on top. It’s disrespectful for the services he provided to India," he concluded.
Shami has picked up 10 wickets from 12 matches in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
