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India's veteran pacer Mohammed Shami faced another snub as selectors picked the squad for two-Test series against South Africa at home starting November 14. Shami's coach, Mohammed Badruddin, believes selectors have made up their mind to ignore the pacer at the moment. He believes Shami's performance and fitness is top-notch and he would have helped reduce Jasprit Bumrah's workload as well.
"My thought is simple — they are ignoring him, that’s clear. There’s no other reason that makes sense to me. He’s not unfit — when a player is playing Test matches, taking 15 wickets in two games, then he doesn’t look unfit from anywhere. I don’t think he’s unfit.
"The selectors are just overlooking him, that’s it. Why they are doing that, only they can say. But I really thought he would be picked for this series, because it’s in India and only two fast bowlers will play anyway. Still, he should have been in the squad. That would’ve helped reduce Bumrah’s workload — because Bumrah can’t play three-and-a-half Tests in a row. They should’ve kept Shami for rotation, that’s what I feel," said Badruddin in a conversation with India Today.
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Shami’s coach questions selectors’ selection metrics
Badruddin alleged that selectors are using T20 metrics to pick Test squads. He wants Ranji performances to be given weightage when the Test squad is picked. Shami remained wicketless against Tripura but has 15 wickets in the season already. He feels that selectors were earlier using Shami’s lack of game time and fitness as an excuse to leave him out.
"I think they’ve made up their minds that they won’t pick him for now, and in my view, that’s completely wrong. When you select a Test team, it should be based on Ranji Trophy performances. If you’re selecting for Tests using T20 metrics, that’s not right. You should look at who’s doing well in Ranji, and pick from there. But here, it looks like the decisions are pre-decided — they already know which players they want, and they just stick to that list. So all this talk about performance or fitness is just an excuse. Saying 'he’s unfit' or 'needs match practice' — that’s not true. They already have a plan about who they want to play and who they don’t," said Badruddin.
Badruddin backs Shami to silence everyone on comeback
Badruddin is still hopeful of Shami’s return to the Test squad. He declared that when the pacer makes his return, his performances will silence everyone. He recalled his contribution in the World Cup and how he can’t be ignored for long.
"Of course, he can return. In fact, I’m fully confident he will. And when he does, he’ll make such a comeback that will silence everyone. One day or the other, they’ll have to play him. If you’re not picking him now despite his form, then stop saying things like “we select based on performance” — because that’s clearly not true. In my view, he deserves 100 percent to be back, and I’m sure he’ll get that chance. The whole country is behind him and watching his performances. You can’t ignore a guy who’s done so much for India, especially in the World Cup," said Badruddin.
While Team India gear up for the two-Test series against Temba Bavuma-led side, Shami will take the field to prove his mettle once again as Bengal take on Railways away from home, starting November 8.
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