India vs Afghanistan Test: Ajit Agarkar explains Shami, Auqib Nabi non-selections

Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector of India’s men’s cricket squad, has stated that Mohammed Shami was not considered for the Afghanistan series since the veteran pacer is ready only for T20 cricket for now. Agarkar also mentioned that Auqib Nabi came very close to his maiden Test call-up.

“As far as we have been told, at this point, his body is allowing him to…I know he has played the domestic season this year. But from the information that I have got is that at this point, T20 cricket is what he is sort of ready for. So, there was no discussion regarding his name,” Agarkar said after the announcement of India’s squad for the lone Test and three ODI series against Afghanistan at home.

Shami, a veteran of 197 international caps across formats, last featured in India colors during the Champions Trophy final in March 2025.

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With Harshit Rana and Akash Deep injured and the selectors deciding to rest Jasprit Bumrah, Auqib – the Jammu & Kashmir swing bowler, who was one of the stars of the Ranji Trophy season – was expected to earn a maiden call-up to the Test squad. However, the selectors went for Gurnoor Brar as the back-up pacer to assist Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

“Someone who has not just this season, but done well last season. There is always a chat around that. You do not necessarily pick a lot of seamers when you pick a Test team in India. And he was close,” Agarkar said.

“But at this point, we have gone with the three that we have picked. But there was certainly a chat around that. There is no doubt. He has had some incredible performances for Jammu & Kashmir.”

Nabi – with a combined tally of 104 wickets in the last two Ranji seasons, including a whopping 60 wickets last season – will have to wait for his chance.

Published on May 19, 2026