Shami’s Domestic Domination: Agarkar’s ‘Fit to Play’ Excuse for India vs New Zealand is Running Thin

India vs New Zealand | Fit and firing: Why Agarkar & Co. can't ignore Shami anymore

Let’s cut to the chase. The air is thick with excuses, but the numbers on the pitch are screaming one undeniable truth: Mohammed Shami is fit, firing, and ready to lead India’s pace attack against New Zealand. For months, chief selector Ajit Agarkar has been hiding behind the vague, almost mythical, phrase that Shami needs to “play some cricket.” Well, consider this: what if “some cricket” actually means 20 wickets in four Ranji Trophy matches at a miserly average of 18.60? What if it means a lethal 16 wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy? And what if it includes a sharp return in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he’s already making batters hop?

If this isn’t “some cricket,” then the BCCI needs to publish a new dictionary, one where “fit” and “ready” have been conveniently erased. The controversy isn’t just about selection; it’s about the credibility of a process that seems to be bending over backwards to keep a world-class bowler out of the XI.

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The Numbers Don’t Lie: Shami’s Domestic Resurgence

We’re past the point of speculation. This isn’t about a player easing back in; it’s a full-blown, statement-making comeback. Leading Bengal’s pace attack, Shami has been a force of nature in the 2025-26 domestic season. His performances have been nothing short of spectacular:

  • Ranji Trophy: 20 wickets in just 4 matches, averaging a phenomenal 18.60. He wasn’t just bowling; he was dismantling top-order batters and was instrumental in Bengal finishing on top of their group .
  • Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: 16 wickets from 7 T20 games, showcasing his mastery of the shortest format with an average of 14.93. This proves his ability to adapt and be lethal across all conditions .
  • Vijay Hazare Trophy: Already back in the List-A groove, Shami has picked up 7 wickets, demonstrating his readiness for the 50-over format that will be crucial against New Zealand .

For a bowler with over 200 ODI wickets to his name, this isn’t just “some cricket.” It’s a masterclass in returning from adversity.

Agarkar’s ‘Fitness Facade’: What Are They Really Saying?

Ajit Agarkar, himself a former pace spearhead, has consistently cited fitness as the primary reason for Shami’s omission. He’s stated, “If Mohammed Shami was fit, he’d be in the team,” a line that’s become a national talking point . But this logic is collapsing under its own weight. You cannot bowl 145.2 overs in the Ranji Trophy, 26.5 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali, and 34.2 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy if you are anywhere near unfit. These aren’t easy, flat-track outings; these are the most grueling domestic tournaments in India, played on pitches that demand peak physical condition.

The fitness excuse is starting to sound less like a genuine concern and more like a convenient smokescreen, perhaps masking a deeper strategic or even personal difference of opinion within the selection committee. The cricketing public is smart enough to see through this. As veteran all-rounder R Ashwin bluntly put it, the entire situation is raising serious questions about the selection panel’s transparency .

The India vs New Zealand Bowling Puzzle

The current pace attack for the ODI series is expected to be led by Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh, with Kuldeep Yadav as the lead spinner . It’s a talented, young unit, no doubt. But it lacks a proven, ice-in-the-veins match-winner on the big stage. New Zealand’s own attack, featuring the returning Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, and Jacob Duffy, is a disciplined and experienced unit built to exploit any Indian batting frailty [[19], [21]].

Facing such a challenge, India’s need for a bowler who can deliver a devastating opening spell or break a stubborn partnership in the middle overs becomes paramount. This is where Shami’s experience and skill set become invaluable.

Why Shami is the Missing Piece Against the Black Caps

Mohammed Shami isn’t just any fast bowler; he’s a specialist against New Zealand. His career-best ODI figures of 7/57 came against them in the 2023 World Cup semifinal. He knows their batters, their weaknesses, and more importantly, he thrives under that specific pressure. His ability to shape the ball both ways and nail the yorker at the death makes him the perfect weapon for Indian conditions.

While the young guns are learning their trade, Shami offers a level of control and wicket-taking threat that can single-handedly tilt a match. Ignoring this asset in a high-stakes series is a strategic blunder waiting to happen. [INTERNAL_LINK:shami-best-performances-against-new-zealand] would show just how dominant he has been.

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

This isn’t just another bilateral series. It’s a litmus test for Agarkar’s new selection philosophy and a crucial tune-up for the T20 World Cup 2026. The BCCI is also under immense public and media pressure to explain Shami’s continued exclusion . With a legendary player like Shami making his case on the field with every wicket, the selectors’ silence is becoming deafening. Fans and experts alike are demanding clarity, not the same recycled, hollow justifications.

Summary: It’s Time to Call the Bluff

The evidence is overwhelming. Mohammed Shami has fulfilled every single criterion the selectors could possibly set. He is bowling more overs than most of his peers, taking wickets at a prolific rate, and has proven his match fitness beyond any reasonable doubt. The “needs to play some cricket” narrative is officially dead. The real question now is whether Ajit Agarkar and the BCCI have the courage to admit they were wrong or if they will continue to gamble India’s chances against a formidable New Zealand side by leaving their most potent pace weapon on the sidelines.

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