Mohammed Shami's childhood coach, Mohammed Badruddin, opined that the BCCI selectors are intentionally ignoring the legendary bowler's name when it comes to his return to the Indian team. The right-arm seamer made a comeback from an ankle injury last season but wasn't fast-tracked into the national team. He played domestic cricket, looking to prove his fitness to the selectors.
While Shami played white-ball cricket for India earlier this year, he has not been able to make a comeback in the Test arena. He has bowled well in the Ranji Trophy this season, picking up 15 wickets in three games for Bengal at an average of 15.5. However, when the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee named the squad for the home Test series against South Africa, Shami's name was missing.
Badruddin believes that picking Shami in the side against the Proteas could have given the Indian team management the chance to reduce Jasprit Bumrah's workload.