'Still selecting Kohli & Rohit': Ex-cricketer makes big statement on Shami's snub

Namaste team! 🙏 Let me share something quite juicy from the cricket world, and honestly, it makes for such a compelling narrative—like a Bharatanatyam piece where the dancer's age never defines her grace.

Is Age Really Holding Back Shami? Aakash Chopra Breaks It Down

The evergreen pacer Mohammed Shami's international comeback remains up in the air. Our 36-yr-old fast-bwl hasn't suited up for India in a whole 1.5 yrs, wrestling with recurring injuries along the way. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee seems to be building around a fresher crop of pace bowlers, and fans are now debating—Shami being overlooked purely because of his age?

Chopra's Sharp Take

Aakash Chopra didn't mince words, drawing a stark contrast between Shami and Australia's Mitchell Starc. Per Chopra (via CREX):

> "Starc has stayed fit and played continuously—whenever he returns, he spearheads the attack. No questions on his form, fitness or sharpness."

But Shami? He had surgery, lost time, and when he finally came back to domestic cricket, folks had question marks over his pace. He took wickets, yes—but that killer intensity seemed to fade.

The Kohli-Rohit Angle

Here's where Chopra absolutely nailed it. He dismissed the age narrative entirely, pointing to a beautiful contradiction:

> "It makes no sense to drop someone for age when you're still selecting veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."

His verdict? Age isn't the factor. Selectors will eventually spell it out, but it's clearly not about the number.

A Milestone Along the Way

Meanwhile, Shami recently crossed 100 first-class matches after representing East Zone in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final. What a career!

What do you all think—is Shami's return just a matter of time? Drop your thoughts! 🏏

#MohammedShami #IndianCricket #AakashChopra

Source: Times of India