Former India spinner reacts to Shami-Agarkar row, asks BCCI to practice player-selector clarity

The ongoing dispute between senior pacer Mohammed Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has triggered debate on communication gaps in Indian cricket. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has broken his silence in on the matter, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to promote better transparency and direct communication between players and selectors. He made these comments ]after Shami publicly expressed disappointment over his exclusion from the recent Australia ODI series and the uncertainty surrounding his fitness status.

The controversy began when Agarkar, during a press conference announcing India’s squad for the Australia series, said he was unsure about Shami’s current fitness levels. Meanwhile, the pacer replied saying that it was not his responsibility to update selectors on his health, stating that he had already shown his match fitness by playing in the Duleep Trophy and the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. The 34-year-old pacer, who last featured for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, expressed his frustration at being sidelined without clear communication.

However, the chief selector later mentioned that he was open to speaking directly with Shami to resolve any misunderstanding. However, the matter escalated when the pacer, after taking seven wickets in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy win against Uttarakhand, told reporters that Agarkar may say whatever he likes. Addressing the row on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin mentioned about the consistent issue of indirect communication within Indian cricket. The veteran spinner said that both players and administrators must work to improve mutual trust and transparency.

“I will say one thing openly, everything in Indian cricket runs on indirect talks. I really wish that it changes. It has to change from both the players’ side and the administrators’ and selectors’ side as well. What I have noticed is that if something direct is said, it is bound to come out in the news. So there is no confidence in the player to approach someone and tell them that this is exactly what they want,” Ashwin said.

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 I really loved how Ajit Agarkar handled it: Ashwin

The 37-year-old emphasized that such open conversations could prevent players from expressing their differences through the media. He urged the BCCI to develop a system where selectors and players could communicate directly and confidently about selection, performance, and fitness expectations without the fear of leaks or misinterpretation. Using Shami’s case as an example, Ashwin pointed out how lack of clarity can lead to frustration.

“Look at what Shami did. He performed and then talked in the press conference, there is nothing wrong with that. But why is he talking all of this? Because he does not have clarity. If he had clarity over what is expected of him, then Shami will be able to say that. Or has Shami received that communication and is not disclosing that? We don’t know the reality. So to be guessing on that is the wrong thing to do. Whenever I as a player didn’t have clarity I always felt a little low. I used to wonder what can I do now, shall I talk to someone? But if I talk, will that leak? That trust is very important," he added.

However, Ashwin also lauded Agarkar for handling the situation brilliantly and hopes the two clarify the ongoing concerns.

“But, at the same time, I really loved how Ajit Agarkar handled it. He said if Shami wants to say something I’ll pick up the phone and talk to him. I really hope that phone call has happened,” Ashwin concluded.