Domestic

Not my job to update selectors on fitness: Shami hits back

Published

5 months ago

October 14, 2025

KOLKATA: India pacer Mohammed Shami on Tuesday took a dig at the national selectors for omitting him from the white-ball tour of Australia, asserting that his availability for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy proves he is fit and that it is not his responsibility to update the panel on this.

Shami, who last represented India in the Champions Trophy triumph and finished as the country’s top wicket-taker alongside Varun Chakravarthy, has battled recurring ankle and knee injuries that required surgery after the 2023 World Cup. The 35-year-old has not been part of the Indian Test side for some time, having last played in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023.

“I have said this before. Selection is not in my hands. If there is a fitness issue, I shouldn’t be here playing for Bengal,” Shami told reporters on the eve of Bengal’s Ranji opener against Uttarakhand at the Eden Gardens.

“I think I do not need to speak on this and create a controversy. If I can play four-dayers (Ranji Trophy), I can also play 50-overs cricket,” he added, when asked about his omission from India’s limited-overs squad for the Australian tour beginning on 19 October.

Shami emphasised that it is not his job to give his fitness update to the selectors. Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, after announcing the squad for Australia, had stated that he did not have any update on Shami’s fitness.

“About giving an update, it’s not my responsibility to give an update or ask for an update. It’s not my job to give updates on my fitness. My job is to go to the NCA (National Cricket Academy), prepare and play matches. Woh unki baat hai unko kaun update deta hai, kisne nahin diya (That’s their matter who gives them updates or not). It’s not my responsibility,” he said bluntly, referring to the established norms that require the CoE to issue fitness certificates.

The veteran pacer, who was the leading wicket-taker in India’s runner-up finish at the 2023 World Cup with 24 wickets in seven matches, suffered a heel injury and underwent surgery to treat his Achilles tendon. He was overlooked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia because of a recurring knee soreness but went on to play a stellar role in India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign in March this year.

The Bengal pacer, who made another comeback this season in the Duleep Trophy playing for East Zone, said he has followed the correct process since surgery and rehabilitation and has been match-ready for some time.

While the Indian team is going through a transition, Shami remains hopeful but practical.

“I always say that you should select the best for your country. It’s a matter of the country. The country should win. We should all be happy. That’s what I always say,” he said.

“Keep fighting, keep playing games. If you perform well, it will benefit you as well. Selection is not in my hands. I can only prepare and play matches. I’ve no objection. If you don’t select me, then I will come here and play for Bengal. I’ve no issue with it,” he added.

Shami also reflected on the challenges of consistency in cricket.

“I also don’t want to play in pain or make the team suffer. I wanted to come back after the operation and make a strong comeback. I am trying to do the same. I am ready to go whenever they (selectors) want me to go,” said the seasoned pacer, who has represented India in 64 Tests, 108 ODIs, and 25 T20Is.

Shami underlined the importance of domestic cricket, describing the Ranji Trophy as a true test for cricketers.

“In the old days, Ranji Trophy was a big level for anyone. But today, we have a platform, and you think it’s an ‘insult’ to go back to play junior cricket like Ranji Trophy. I don’t think so. You should play four-day cricket,” he said.

“If there is a condition that you would be in the team if you perform in Ranji Trophy, then there is nothing wrong in that. No doubt, you should perform,” Shami added.

Related Topics:BCCI India Mohammed Shami

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Delhi Electronic Media defeats UP Sports Journalists Association

Published

3 months ago

December 21, 2025

Staff Reporter

In a thrilling final played in Lucknow, the Delhi Electronic Media XI emerged victorious in the Dr. Akhilesh Das Gupta Memorial All India Media Cricket Tournament, defeating the host team UP Sports Journalists Association (UPSJA) by four runs.

Batting first, Delhi Electronic Media posted a competitive total of 160 runs for the loss of five wickets in 20 overs.

While chasing the target, UPSJA managed 156 runs but fell short by just four runs, being bowled out with only three balls to spare.

Key Performances & Awards:

Man of the Match: Nikhil Naz (Delhi Electronic Media)
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Domestic

Maharashtra win IDCA’s 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for deaf 2025

Published

4 months ago

November 10, 2025

Staff Reporter

Maharashtra Deaf team defeated Jammu & Kashmir Deaf team by eight runs to emerge as the champions of the 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for the Deaf in New Delhi.

The champion’s trophy was handed to Maharashtra captain Pranil More by Chief Guest Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Member of Parliament for West Delhi, who was present at the closing ceremony along with Jai Bhagwan Yadav, Deputy. Mayor, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Jaswinder Narang, CEO Villoo Poonawalla Foundation & Serum Institute of India, according to a release from IDCA.

Congratulating the players, Kamaljeet Sehrawat said, “I am really honoured to be here today and witness the final match. Our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has been leading from the front when it comes to sports and inclusivity, and I am happy to be a small part of it here. I congratulate all the players who are present here and wish to end by saying that one day I hope I also get to witness you all as part of the Indian team and lifting the World trophy.”

Jaswinder Narang, CEO of Villoo Poonawalla Foundation & Serum Institute of India, congratulated all the participants and added. “I congratulate all cricketers on their remarkable performance. Your determination and passion for the sport is truly inspiring, and we’re proud to support your journey. We at the Villoo Poonawalla Foundation committed to empowering all our IDCA athletes and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents. We’re honoured to partner with IDCA, who share our vision and works together to create a more inclusive society. I am especially proud that it is my home state, Maharashtra, that has won the championship trophy today.”

A total of 20 teams from across the country participated in the championship, which was kicked off on November 3rd at Delhi’s Essex Farm Cricket Ground in Chhawla. The 9th edition of the T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2025 was organised by The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA), supported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and recognised by the Deaf International Cricket Council & Asian Deaf Cricket Association.

The week-long championship, organised under the patronage of Cyrus Poonawalla Group, brought together some of India’s most talented hearing-impaired cricketers from across the nation and had representatives from Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Telangana, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Punjab, Odisha, Delhi, and Bengal.

The matches were hosted across four venues in Chhawla — Essex Farms Cricket Club and Academy, Harryan Cricket Academy, Arihant Cricket Ground, and Arihant Mount Cricket Club — ensuring simultaneous matches and an exciting schedule throughout the tournament.

The fixture included 40 league matches from 3rd to 7th November, followed by quarterfinals on Saturday 8th November and semi-finals on the morning of 9th November, followed by the grand final in the afternoon.

Speaking about the championship, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, “The 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf celebrated the spirit and resilience of our very talented hearing-impaired athletes who travelled from across the country to be part of this amazing event. We could not have achieved what we witnessed over the past week without the generous support of the Cyrus Poonawalla Group and our partners, we thank them for the continuous support and promise to continue creating a strong platform for differently abled cricketers to shine on a national stage.”

Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA, added, “We congratulate the Maharashtra Deaf team, who were crowned as Champions of the 9th edition of the T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf 2025 and thank players from all the participating teams who helped us make this Championship successful. Our aim of bringing together talented players who represent the strength of inclusivity in sports would not be possible without their and our partners and sponsors’ continued support. Every edition strengthens our resolve to provide opportunities and visibility for hearing-impaired athletes, enabling them to pursue their passion with honour and confidence.”

Domestic

IDCA inaugurates 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf

Published

4 months ago

November 3, 2025

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: (Nov 3) The Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) on Monday inaugurated the ninth edition of the T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf that will be held here from November 3 to 9 and feature 20 teams.

The opening ceremony of the championship was attended by Delhi minister Pravesh Sahib Singh Verma among others.

The week-long championship, organised under the patronage of Cyrus Poonawalla Group, will run from November 3-9, bringing together some of the most talented hearing-impaired cricketers from across India.

This year’s tournament features 20 teams — Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Telangana, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Punjab, Odisha, Delhi, and Bengal.

The matches will be hosted across four venues in Chhawla — Essex Farms Cricket Club and Academy, Haryana Cricket Academy, Arihant Cricket Ground, and Arihant Mount Cricket Club — ensuring simultaneous matches.

The fixture includes 40 league matche, followed by quarter-finals on November 8, semi-finals and final on November 9.

Speaking about the championship, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA, said, “The 9th T20 National Cricket Championship for Deaf is not just a tournament — it’s a movement celebrating the spirit, resilience, and talent of our hearing-impaired athletes.”