'They shouldn't have closed the door on Shami' - Bharat Arun backs India star's comeback bid

Shami's Comeback: Why the Selectors Got This Wrong

Mohammed Shami is set to play his 100th FC match in the Duleep Trophy final (East Zone vs South Zone) at the Chidaram on Sept 7. Here's the data point that matters: the pacer's been out of India's Test squad for 1,182 days and hasn't bowled for India in 545 days. That's a massive window, and the market's clearly mispricing his value.

Former bowling coach Bharat Arun isn't mincing words. His message to the selectors is blunt—they shouldn't have shut the door on Shami.

"They shouldn't have closed the door on Shami. There is still plenty of cricket left in him. When someone is performing, age shouldn't be a factor," Arun told Indian Express. He flagged Shami's durability as a key asset—100 FC matches with the red ball is a serious longevity metric for a fast bowler of his profile.

What makes Shami an asset? Arun's anecdote says it all. You give him the ball—nets or match situations—and he'll bowl for 45-60 minutes straight. No one can stop him. His tell? Wear the spikes to the ground and he's in the mood. Arun notes Shami takes immense pride in having "the best seam position in the world." That's the edge you don't replace.

The bottom line: When a player's production is this consistent, age becomes a liability in your analysis, not his. Shami's asking for the ball in both Duleep semis and backing it with intent. The question isn't whether he can still bowl—he can. It's whether selectors are leaving value on the table by ignoring him.

Source: Crictracker