“You could just use a computer" - Former Bengal star shares his views on Mohammad Shami’s much-debated non-selection

Former India and Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta has shared his perspective on the much-debated non-selection of ace pacer Mohammad Shami. The 35-year-old last represented India earlier this year during their title-winning campaign in the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Since then, Shami has remained on the sidelines and has also been involved in a war of words with chief selector Ajit Agarkar over his omission from the squad.

Amid the debate, on Saturday, December 13, during his appearance on the KADAK YouTube channel, Deep Dasgupta stated that there is a difference between domestic and Test cricket, where a bowler cannot simply sit out after bowling his spell, and that fitness is not only about bowling stamina. He said:

“Look, there is a huge difference when you talk about a Test match. You have to stay on the field for 90 overs, you have to bowl three spells, and no one is going to let you go off the field. So when we talk about fitness, it is not just about bowling fitness. This is something we need to understand a little. Right? In first class cricket, it can happen that you bowl a spell and then go and sit down. But in international cricket, no one will allow you to sit out.”

He also said that in terms of fitness, the upcoming 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy will be crucial for the pacer. He noted that people often just check the number of wickets a bowler has taken online, but selection does not work that way, and if it did, selectors would not be needed. He remarked:

“I mean, if someone is fit enough to stay on the field for 50 overs and bowl 10 overs in three spells, then from that perspective the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be important in terms of fitness. Usually, the problem is that we go to a website and check how many wickets someone has taken or how many runs they have scored. That is a different approach altogether. If that is the case, then selectors are not even needed. You could just use a computer, look at who the top four wicket takers are and who the top six batters are, and pick them.”

Deep further added that a bowler of Shami’s quality can take wickets in any game, but it is important to assess whether he is bowling at the level required for international cricket. He noted that one must not judge solely by numbers, as they can be misleading. He stated:

“So in my view, it is important to look at quality. Against whom has the performance come, and how has it come? At what pace is the bowler bowling? Because when you are very experienced, a quality bowler like Shami, even if he bowls in a match with his eyes closed, will pick up two or three wickets anyway. But you still need to see whether he is bowling at the level required for international cricket. I am not saying he is not. And absolutely, if he is ready at that level, then Shami, given the class of bowler he is, is anyway a great bowler. There is no debate about that. But my point is that you should not judge only by the numbers. Sometimes numbers can be misleading.”

Overall, Shami has played 197 matches for India across formats, taking 462 wickets, including 12 five-wicket hauls.

---

Mohammad Shami shines for Bengal in the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Mohammad Shami was most recently seen in action in the ongoing 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Although Bengal failed to qualify for the Super League stage, Shami delivered an impressive performance with the ball in the tournament.

Placed in Elite Group C, Bengal finished sixth, while the 35-year-old emerged as the team’s leading wicket-taker. He claimed 16 wickets in seven matches at an average of 14.93, a strike rate of 10.06, and an economy rate of 8.90, with his best figures of 4/13 coming against Services.

Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news

Edited by Dev Sharma