NEW DELHI: The communication gaps in Indian cricket need to be fixed, feels former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, after pacer Mohammed Shami and chief selector Ajit Agarkar's differences came out in the open, with both choosing to talk to the media instead of making an effort to reach out and sort out the issues. Shami voiced his ire after being left out of the recent Australia ODI series amid uncertainty surrounding his fitness status.

Agarkar surprised with his reply when asked about Shami's exclusion during a press conference to announce India's squad for the Australia series, saying he had no update on the pacer's current fitness levels. Agarkar’s comments did not sit well with Shami, who hit back, stating that it was not his duty to apprise the selectors about his fitness and that had he not been fit, he would not have played in the Duleep Trophy and the Ranji Trophy for Bengal.

The issue escalated further when Agarkar said that Shami would have been in the team if he were fit. Shami, however, refused to budge, saying, "Let him say whatever he wants to," after taking seven wickets in Bengal's Ranji Trophy win over Uttarakhand.

Ashwin highlighted the recurring problem of indirect communication within Indian cricket, stressing that both players and administrators need to work towards building greater trust and transparency.

"I will say one thing openly, everything in Indian cricket runs on indirect talks. I really wish that it changes. It has to change from both the players' side and the administrators' and selectors' side as well. What I have noticed is that if something direct is said, it is bound to come out in the news. So there is no confidence in the player to approach someone and tell them that this is exactly what they want," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"Look at what Shami did. He performed and then talked in the press conference, there is nothing wrong with that. But why is he talking all of this? Because he does not have clarity. If he had clarity over what is expected of him, then Shami will be able to say that. Or has Shami received that communication and is not disclosing that? We don't know the reality. So to be guessing on that is the wrong thing to do. Whenever I as a player didn't have clarity I always felt a little low. I used to wonder what can I do now, shall I talk to someone? But if I talk, will that leak? That trust is very important," he added.

However, Ashwin also praised Agarkar for the composed manner in which he handled the situation and expressed hope that the two would soon clear the air and resolve their differences.

"But, at the same time, I really loved how Ajit Agarkar handled it. He said if Shami wants to say something I'll pick up the phone and talk to him. I really hope that phone call has happened," Ashwin concluded.