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"India have moved on from him": AB de Villiers honest take on Shami's snub from Australia tour

Akshita Patel

AB de Villiers on Shami's snub [Source: @GarhManmohan, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]AB de Villiers on Shami's snub [Source: @GarhManmohan, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

AB de Villiers has expressed surprise at Team India’s decision to leave out star pacer Mohammed Shami from the upcoming ODI series against Australia. He called the decision a ‘big call’ by the selectors.

Shami, India’s veteran fast bowler, last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup, finishing as the highest wicket taker with 24 dismissals. However, a heel injury kept him out for 12 months.

During rehabilitation, the pacer picked up another knee injury, and since then, he has been struggling to keep himself fit.

AB de Villiers fears the end of the road for Mohammed Shami

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers, speaking on his YouTube channel, admitted he was puzzled by the exclusion of Mohammed Shami from the Australia white-ball series, especially considering his experience and ability to trouble top batters. 

"It is a big call from Team India. It feels like, in a certain way, they've moved on from him. I don't know the behind the scenes story, if there maybe a couple of niggles he's still carrying. Maybe he lost a yard of pace and he doesn't quite have that zip that he used to. Those could all play a part. It doesn't mean it's the end of the road for him," de Villiers said.

De Villiers added that while Team India appears to have moved on from Shami, the latter shouldn’t lose hope and should build up pace to rediscover lost form.

"If he can still find that extra yard of pace, as that is one thing I picked up - He lost a little bit of pace recently and maybe that is the reason why he is not in the national team anymore. But hopefully he makes a really good comeback. I am a big fan of Shami, he's a wonderful bowler." 


"Always asks questions of the batters. He's a wicket-to-wicket bowler and a great asset to have in the team if he's in form, fit and raring to go. Obviously it is very disappointing not to see him there as he's a very entertaining performer for Team India," he added.

Despite not being at his absolute best, Shami’s recent numbers are respectable, 11 wickets in 7 ODIs in 2025 at an average of 30.63 and an economy of 5.92. Yet, India opted to go with four other pacers for the Australia tour, leaving Mohammed Shami out entirely. 

Shami vs Agarkar war begins

Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Mohammed Shami wasn’t considered for selection for the Australia series since he hadn’t played enough cricket to prove his fitness.

However, Shami, talking to the media, rubbished rumours about his fitness, saying he played the Champions Trophy and Duleep Trophy and is also available to play the Ranji Trophy.

Shami further claimed that Agarkar or any other selector didn’t reach out to him for transparency over fitness, and he is as puzzled as the fans over his snub.