From Mohammed Shami to Ajinkya Rahane: Indian players are not afraid to challenge the selectors led by Ajit Agarkar | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: In a rare show of collective dissent, several top Indian cricketers – led by Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane and Karun Nair – have publicly expressed frustration over the selection policies and communication lapses of president Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee. From issues of transparency to age bias, the simmering tension between players and selectors has once again come to the fore.Go beyond borders with our YouTube channel. REGISTER NOW!The spark came from Mohammed Shami, who dismissed the notion that his recent appearance for Bengal was a ‘comeback’. The veteran point guard, who went 5 of 38 in a command Ranji Trophy win, questioned the constant media narrative around his career and hinted at a lack of clarity from selectors. “When you call it a comeback match, I honestly don’t understand. Playing for Bengal always comes straight from the heart,” he said.Shami’s comments follow his previous jab at the selection panel after being left out of the Indian Test squad for the West Indies series. Agarkar had claimed that Shami had not played enough cricket post-surgery to be considered fit, but the 35-year-old hit back saying: “It’s not my job to give updates on his fitness. My job is to play matches.” Since then, Shami’s form in domestic cricket has been through the roof, with his performances seeming to be the talk of the town ahead of India’s tour of South Africa.Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane, another senior professional, expressed disappointment over what he called “age-based selection” after scoring 159 for Mumbai against Chhattisgarh in the Ranji Trophy. “Age is just a number. It’s about intention and passion,” Rahane said, drawing parallels with Michael Hussey’s late but impactful Test career. He lamented the lack of communication from the selectors and pointed out that his experience could have helped India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy defeat in Australia.“I have been playing domestic cricket consistently for years, just like the selectors ask. Sometimes it’s not about runs, it’s about intention and experience,” he added, subtly reminding the selectors that consistency and seniority still have value in red-ball cricket. Rahane also encouraged young players like Sarfaraz Khan to “focus on the controllables” amid the uncertainty surrounding team selection.Karun Nair also finds himself at odds with the system. Despite scoring 1,553 runs in the last two Ranji seasons for Vidarbha, he was overlooked for both the West Indies series and the Indian ‘A’ team. “It’s quite disappointing, but I know I deserve to be here after the last two years I had,” Nair said, adding that he had set personal goals to make his way back into the competition.Even Shardul Thakuralthough less confrontational, indirectly addressed the selection dynamics, noting that he is eyeing a place as a bowling all-rounder for the 2027 ODI World Cup. “Good performances will help in selection. I am ready if I am asked to play tomorrow,” he said, signaling his intention to remain in the national framework.Taken together, these statements highlight a growing feeling among experienced players that communication between selectors and cricketers has weakened, with updates on performance and fitness often lost in translation. While Agarkar’s panel prioritized youth and fitness consistency, veterans like Shami and Rahane believe experience and intent remain irreplaceable ingredients in the set-up of Indian cricket.