The national team selectors named back-to-back squads for the international and domestic tournaments. None of these recently published squads contain either Bhuvneshwar Kumar or Mohammed Shami.
Both of the experienced fast bowlers have been in good form with their respective teams, taking wickets across tournaments, but still, the selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, did not consider them for the top level of cricket.
Like many Indian cricket fans, former Team India cricketer Mohammad Kaif was also furious when he was criticising the selection process and the criteria for the Indian cricket team across the formats at present. Kaif, in his explanation, said that selection should be based on the player’s recent form, not because of his age.
Mohammad Kaif takes on chief selector Ajit Agarkar
Two former India cricketers, Mohammad Kaif and Zaheer Khan, were in a Cricbuzz discussion panel when Kaif, a former India batter, blasted the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel. Kaif spontaneously stated that age is not a parameter to define a player’s credibility and what he can do for the team; it is the current form and fitness which decides which player can do the best for the team.
Furthermore, highlighting the hard work of both Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kaif mentioned that Shami has been delivering around 22 overs in first-class matches, which would not be possible for him if he lacked fitness. According to the former cricketer, Shami did enough to prove himself.
Mohammed Kaif explains why Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar deserve places in the Indian cricket team
Talking about Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Kaif stated that Kumar helped the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win back-to-back IPL trophies. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the team, RCB broke the deadlock in 2025 and claimed their major IPL title.
In the following season, they played in a more confident way and defended their hard-earned title with pure dominance. In the IPL 2026 season, Kumar, who is known for his ability to swing the ball in both ways, missed the Purple Cap only by one wicket.
Mohammad Kaif sees a massive loss for Team India
Taking a step further, Kaif also mentioned that leaving out players like Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami is not only a massive mistake made by the selectors, but also a massive loss for the Indian cricket team.
“Age doesn’t define you. Your current form, your fitness. Mohammed Shami is putting in 22 overs; let’s talk about first-class cricket. What more can a person do? Bhuvneshwar Kumar played for Bangalore twice and won the IPL twice.”
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“What more can a person do? I believe that the Indian team is at a loss. If you don’t give a chance to such players, if you don’t pick them, then I see that the quality that Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami have,” Mohammad Kaif said in the Cricbuzz segment.
The Indian cricket team is set to play multiple series in the upcoming future in the future, including the 2026 <a href="https://cricket.international/aliya-riaz-faces-trolling-after-poor-fielding-for-pakistan-in-asian-games/" title="Aliya Riaz faces trolling after poor fielding for Pakistan in <a href="https://cricket.international/shafali-verma-hits-historic-t20i-ton-as-india-women-crush-bangladesh-by-114-runs-in-asian-games-semi-final/" title="Shafali Verma Hits Historic T20I Ton as India Women Crush Bangladesh by 114 Runs in Asian Games Semi-Final”>Asian Games“>Asian Games and the white-ball series against West Indies. There will be a series between the India A and Australia A cricket teams as well.
Source: cricketaddictor.com
