NEW DELHI: Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla has thrown his full weight behind senior India pacer Mohammed Shami, launching a veiled but pointed dig at chief selector Ajit Agarkar amid the ongoing debate over team selection and fitness communication.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Following Shami’s brilliant eight-wicket match haul in Bengal’s 141-run win over Gujarat in the Ranji Trophy, Shukla hailed the veteran quick as a “self-made certificate” of excellence and discipline — a direct rebuttal to those questioning his readiness for international cricket.“You all saw how Shami bowled. There’s nothing for me to add. His performance said it all. There’s no question about his commitment,” Shukla said. “The entire world knows what Mohammed Shami is. He doesn’t need a certificate from anyone; his bowling is the certificate. He’s completely fit.”The statement comes weeks after Agarkar had cited Shami’s lack of recent game time and fitness issues as reasons for leaving him out of India’s Test squad. Shami, who underwent ankle surgery earlier this year, has since silenced doubts with 15 wickets in just two Ranji games, proving his form and fitness emphatically.Shukla also lauded Shami’s work ethic and insisted that Bengal are managing his workload sensibly despite his eagerness to play every game.“We can’t make Shami play all seven matches, though he keeps saying he’s fit and wants to play every game. The way he’s running in is unbelievable. Even after 500 wickets, he’s in fantastic rhythm and playing with complete calmness,” the Bengal coach added.The veteran pacer, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy, was instrumental in ending Bengal’s two-decade wait for a Ranji win over Gujarat. His five-wicket burst on the final day demolished the visitors’ middle order and reaffirmed his status as one of India’s premier red-ball bowlers.Speaking after the match, Shami confirmed he was “fit and ready” for a return to international cricket.“Every person wants to play for the country. I’m ready for that again,” he said. “My motivation is to stay fit and keep performing — the rest is up to the selectors.”With Shami in roaring rhythm and Shukla’s words resonating as a sharp critique of the selectors, the spotlight is once again on India’s selection policies — and how long they can continue to overlook one of the country’s most accomplished fast bowlers.
