In the first Test played in Kolkata, South Africa defeated India by 30 runs, which proved to be one of the worst defeats for Team India. India had to score only 124 runs, but due to the brilliant bowling of Simon Harmer, this target proved to be like a mountain. Of course Harmer was the hero of this victory, but Temba Bavuma’s half-century innings also played a big role. Indian bowlers could not dismiss Bavuma in the second innings, while on the other hand, Mohammed Shami is making waves in the Ranji Trophy.

The Kolkata Test ended in just 3 days, whereas when the third day’s play started, Team India had the upper hand. South Africa had lost 7 wickets, while the lead was only 63 runs. On the third day, no bowler could dismiss Temba Bavuma, due to which the lead crossed 100. Bavuma scored an unbeaten 55 runs, he was the only batsman who scored a half-century in this test.

Mohammed Shami is dominating in Ranji Trophy

The selectors were also criticized on social media for not including Mohammed Shami in the Test series against South Africa. Because Shami had bowled brilliantly in Ranji Trophy, taking 15 wickets in 2 matches. Now even when India lost the first test, Shami’s brilliant bowling continues.

Mohammed Shami, playing for the Bengal team, took 3 wickets for 64 runs in a spell of 23.2 overs against Assam. Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal also took the same number of wickets. Due to the bowling of Shami and Suraj, the entire Assam team was reduced to 200.

Will Mohammed Shami be able to play the second test?

Mohammed Shami is not a part of the Test squad against South Africa, so it is very difficult for him to play in Guwahati. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out that Shami may come into the team as a replacement.

Mohammed Shami has not been able to make a place in the national team since the Champions Trophy. A few days ago, the fast bowler had given a big statement saying that BCCI did not contact him for information about his fitness. Whereas Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had said that Shami is not in the team due to fitness. Now Shami is dominating the Ranji Trophy, he took 7 wickets in the first match and 8 wickets in the second match against Gujarat. He took 5 wickets in the second innings, after which he said a big thing while talking to the media.

Responding to Agarkar’s statement, Mohammed Shami had said, “It is not my responsibility to give updates on my fitness, my job is to go to NCA, prepare and play the matches, it is their matter who gives them updates, who does not. It is not my responsibility.”

Responding to this, Agarkar had said that he had talked to Shami about his not being selected and if he has any problem then he will talk to him again. Agarkar also said that the BCCI medical team does not feel that he is ready to play international matches. Responding to this, Shami had earlier said, “Let them say whatever they want.”

Chief selector and Mohammed Shami were seen face to face, meanwhile recently appointed BCCI selector (Central Zone) RP Singh went to meet Shami during the Ranji Trophy match, he was seen talking to Shami.

What did Mohammed Shami say after taking 5 wickets against Gujarat?

After taking 5 wickets against Gujarat in Ranji Trophy, Bengal player Mohammed Shami exercised restraint while talking to journalists and took care not to say anything controversial. He said, “

I am always in controversies, you (media) have made me such a bowler. If I speak, there will be an uproar. What should I say now? I can’t blame you, everyone does it. People say anything even on social media.”

Mohammed Shami was not included in the Australia tour, before this he was not even a part of the Test series against England and West Indies. Many questions were raised on this. Shami himself, while talking to the media a few days ago, had said that if he is not fit then he should not play for Bengal. He had said that if I can play 4-day cricket then I can also play 50 overs cricket. Now Shami has given the answer not through words but through his bowling. Now it will be interesting to see whether Shami is selected in the team for the Test series against South Africa or not.

Playing for Bengal in Ranji Trophy, Mohammed Shami took 5 wickets in the second innings against Gujarat. Bengal won this match by 141 runs. Batting first, Bengal had scored 279 runs, in reply Gujarat team was reduced to 167 runs in the first innings. Shami took 3 wickets in this innings. Bengal declared the second innings at 214/8 and set a target of 327 for Gujarat. Due to Shami’s lethal bowling, Gujarat was all out on 185.

Shahbaz Ahmed was selected as the player of the match against Gujarat, who took 6 wickets in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second innings. Mohammed Shami was the best player in the previous match.

Mohammed Shami took 15 wickets in 2 matches

Bengal has won both the initial matches in the group stage of Ranji Trophy 2025, the team is at third place in Group C with 12 points. Even in the first match, Mohammed Shami had bowled lethally, he took 3 wickets in the first innings and 4 wickets in the second innings. Shami received the Player of the Match award. So far Shami has taken 15 wickets in 2 matches.

After the T20 series against Australia, India will play all three formats against South Africa at home. It will start with a 2-match test series, for which the team will be announced in a few days. It remains to be seen whether Mohammed Shami returns to the team or not.

The ODI series between India and Australia is going to start from 19th October. Before that series, the names of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were in discussion, but Mohammed Shami also remained in the headlines continuously. Fast bowler Shami has not played any matches for the Indian team after Champions Trophy 2025. First he has been kept out of the Test series against England, then the Asia Cup and now the ODI series against Australia. Now finally Mohammed Shami has broken his silence on continuous drops.

If I was unfit…

According to news agency PTI, on not being selected in the ODI squad against Australia, Mohammed Shami said, “I have already said that the selection is not in my hands. If there were some fitness-related problems, I would not have been playing for Bengal. I do not need to create controversy by saying anything on this. If I can play 4-day matches in Ranji Trophy, I can also play the 50-over format.”

This is not my job…

Shami also said that it is not his responsibility to give or ask for updates. He said, “It is not my job to give updates, ask for or ask about them. It is not my job to give them updates on my fitness. My job is to go to NCA, prepare and play the matches. It is their matter who gives them updates and who does not. It is not my responsibility.”

This statement of Shami is being seen as a taunt on Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar. While announcing the Indian squad for the series against Australia, Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar had said that he did not have any update on Mohammed Shami.

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