Former Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun questioned the selectors for shutting down the selection door on Mohammed Shami. Shami has been overlooked in all three formats of the game despite decent performances in the domestic circuit.

Shami scalped 37 wickets in nine Ranji Trophy matches in the previous season but he has been consistently ignored by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection. The fast bowler last played an ODI for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

“They shouldn’t have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him. When someone is performing, age shouldn’t be a factor. You see his durability. It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball,” Arun told The Indian Express.

Shami is currently playing for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy. East Zone’s skipper Ishan Kishan was pleased with the effort Shami has been putting in the tournament.

“As a captain, looking at the effort, I felt very nice, because Shami bhai coming in, asking me for those extra overs to get the wickets, it always gives confidence,” Ishan said.

Shami has scalped five wickets in two matches of the Duleep Trophy at an average of 28.80.

Kishan added that Shami’s attitude with the ball has stood out for him in the ongoing tournament.

“Looking at Shami bhai this season, I feel he has been very different. I’ve seen him in the past, but his approach towards the game, his intensity, his energy has been very different. When you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games, it is tough, but I feel I see that hunger in him. I think he has that hunger and that motivation right now like he wants to do that comeback, he wants to be part of the Indian squad again and you can see in him,” he added.

East Zone ended the opening day of the final against South Zone at 385-4 with Kishan batting unbeaten on 111.