Performance is the only parameter to judge any player, but when it comes to Mohammed Shami, the selectors want something else. Despite the veteran proving his fitness and wicket-taking abilities, the Ajit Agarkar-led panel continues to ignore him. All the statements given by Agarkar on the veteran have been proven baseless by the pacer in recent times.

He returned to the Ranji Trophy and took 15 wickets in three matches, but there is no place for him in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.

The chief selector had talked about the pacer’s game time and fitness, and now, despite giving a perfect reply to his doubters, the right-arm speedster hasn’t been able to make it to the team.

Shami’s coach, Mohammed Badruddin, is surprised and said that there is more to the story.

“They are ignoring him for sure. There is no other reason behind his exclusion. He is fit and took 15 wickets in two matches. I don’t know the reasons, and the selectors can reveal the real story. Shami should have been in the squad as he would help to manage Bumrah’s workload,” Badruddin told India Today.

Shami’s coach alleged that players are being picked based on their performances in T20 cricket.

“They won’t pick him for now. The selection in the Test squad should be based on the Ranji Trophy performances. You are selecting players based on T20 metrics. Their decision are pre-decided, so all this talk about performance or fitness is just an excuse. They said that Shami is unfit and needs match practice, which is not true. They have a plan about who they want to select and who they don’t,” he added.

The coach hasn’t spoken to Shami about his non-selection. “I don’t like talking to him about this topic. He is disturbed as they are not selecting him despite his performances. He is giving his best and shouldn’t panic. He will definitely get a chance.”

Badruddin is hopeful of seeing Shami back in the national squad.