Mohammed Shami's continued absence from team India has been a matter of great discussion over the past few months. The fast bowler has played a powerful role in the past, but in recent times Shami has found himself outside the Indian team despite delivering incredible performances in domestic cricket. Shami has been away from India's regular plans since March last year, with his most recent appearance for the national side coming during the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has expressed his disappointment over the way the veteran fast bowler has been handled by the current selection setup led by Ajit Agarkar.

“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. You see his durability. It is an outstanding number for the kind of talent he possesses. It is actually befitting for Shami. 100 first-class matches with what he loves most, the red ball,” Arun told The Indian Express.

Arun, who worked closely with Shami during his time as India's bowling coach, touched upon Shami's love for the game.

"He loves bowling. It doesn't matter whether it is in the nets or in the middle of a game. You give him the red ball, or any ball for that matter, he would mark his run-up and start bowling," Arun further said of Shami.

Shami also received praise from East Zone captain Ishan Kishan, who highlighted Shami’s hunger and motivation to play for India. 

“When you are not regularly playing for the Indian team and to again have that same kind of motivation for your domestic games, it is tough, but I feel I see that hunger in him. I think he has that hunger and that motivation right now, like he wants to do that comeback; he wants to be part of Indian squad again and which you can see in him," Ishan said at the press conference on Saturday.