Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the intense disagreement between senior pacer Mohammad Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar during India’s ODI tour of Australia in 2025. Shami was not picked for the Australia series, with the selection panel repeatedly expressing concerns over his fitness. Ajit Agarkar had stated during the squad announcement that he was unsure of Shami’s latest fitness update since the bowler had not been considered for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England.
Shami, however, hit back publicly, declaring that he had already played in the 2025 Duleep Trophy and was about to compete in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy for Bengal. Matters escalated when Agarkar once again questioned Shami’s readiness and hinted that a face-to-face conversation would soon take place. Shami appeared unimpressed by that assurance and told reporters mid-match at Eden Gardens that ‘he can say whatever he wants’.
Ashwin Criticises Indirect Communication In Indian Cricket
Ravichandran Ashwin used his YouTube channel to express concern over the lack of direct communication between Indian players and decision-makers, which he believes is causing unnecessary public confrontations. According to him, the absence of clarity is what pushes players like Shami to address the media instead of stakeholders.
Ashwin said :
“I will say one thing frankly, everything in Indian cricket runs on indirect speech. I really wish that it changes. It has to change from both the players’ side and the selectors’ side as well. What I have noticed is that if something indirect is said, it is bound to come out in the news. Look what Shami did. He performed and then talked in the press conference, there is nothing wrong with that. But why is he talking all of this? Because he does not have clarity. But, at the same time, I really loved how Ajit Agarkar handled it. I really hope that phone call has happened.”
Shami Responds With Performance In Ranji Trophy
Mohammad Shami had last featured for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy, leading the pace attack as the lone experienced seamer in the XI. His later IPL season with SRH proved disappointing as he took only six wickets in nine games. However, he returned with impact in the Ranji Trophy, taking 3-37 and 4-38 in Bengal’s eight-wicket win over Uttarakhand to be named Player of the Match. The Abhimanyu Easwaran-led Bengal unit will next play Gujarat starting October 25.
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