Mohammed Shami has time and again claimed that he doesn’t have any fitness issues. The veteran fast bowler hasn’t been in the scheme of things for India since the 2025 Champions Trophy, with the Chairman of Selectors, Ajit Agarkar, stating that Shami isn’t fit for selection at various junctures.
Shami’s fitness controversy
Agarkar’s claim didn’t sit well with Shami. The pacer hit back at the chief selector, claiming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) hasn’t provided him with an update and that how could he be able to play Duleep and Ranji Trophy if he weren’t fit?
As the back-and-forth continued, BCCI did damage control by sending RP Singh, the newly appointed selector, to Bengal with the aim to directly talk with Shami and handle the matter. The move worked, and the pacer hasn’t made any comments since.
Abishek Porel backs Shami
Now, Shami has been backed by his Bengal teammate and current interim captain, Abishek Porel. In an exclusive conversation with InsideSport, the Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper batter backed the veteran pacer.
Before the Bengal vs Tripura match, Porel shared how lethal Shami has been in the first two matches of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. The 35-year-old has taken 15 wickets in 4 innings, including one 5-wicket haul. Standing behind the stumps, Porel has a great view and describes how well Shami has been bowling in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.
“The kind of spell he bowled in the last 2 Ranji matches was exceptional. Only a few bowlers in the world have the ability to deliver that kind of spell, like he did against Uttarakhand on the morning of day 4. You could see the difference between a domestic bowler and a legendary bowler,” Porel told InsideSport.
Porel has been watching Shami from close quarters and doesn’t believe that the pacer has any niggles or injuries. To the interim Bengal captain, the pacer still looks like he’s in his peak.
“He is at his peak; he doesn’t have any injuries at this moment. It’s not like leaving the fielder after bowling his spell. Overall, he’s 100% fit. I don’t think he has any injury or niggle,” he added.
