As per reports, Shami has fractured his right arm and won't be playing in the remaining Tests.
Shami was hit on his right forearm by a Pat Cummins short-ball during India’s lowest Test score in an innings of 36. Despite getting treatment on the field, Shami was unable to lift the bat and had to retire hurt, bringing an end to India’s dismal performance.
AUS v IND 2020-21: Mohammad Shami ruled out of the Test series with fractured arm - Report
Later, as per reports, the scans and X-rays revealed that he had suffered a fracture on his arm and he was ruled out of the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series.
Nothing has been confirmed by the BCCI yet, and though Shami hadn’t picked any wicket in the Australian first innings, he remained a vital part of the Indian bowling think-tank, especially in absence of Ishant Sharma.
Now the Indian team management will have to pick a replacement for Shami in the Indian squad and they have three options to choose from. Team COC takes a look at the three potential replacements for Mohammad Shami in the Indian Test squad.
KARTIK TYAGI
The 20-year-old pacer was a star in India’s 2020 U19 World Cup campaign in South Africa, where he impressed with his pace and ability to move the ball in the air and off the pitch. His run-up is often compared with that of tearaway Australian pacer Brett Lee.
AUS v IND 2020-21: Jasprit Bumrah guides young Kartik Tyagi during practice session
Tyagi also received an IPL contract from Rajasthan Royals (RR) and impressed everyone with his pace and ability to bowl yorkers. He picked 9 wickets in 10 matches for RR in IPL 2020 and was included in the Indian touring party to Australia.
Though there is an outside chance for Tyagi to be picked in the Indian team after Shami’s injury, if he does get selected, it would be a big boost to his confidence as he is already learning a lot from the Indian fast bowlers in nets and is an exciting prospect for the future.
T NATARAJAN
Natarajan was only picked for the T20I series, but his impressive outing in the series, which India won, led to his debut in ODIs as well and now there is a potential chance that Natarajan might very well make his Test debut as well in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test series.
AUS v IND 2020-21: Washington, Natarajan and Shardul to stay back in Australia for Test series
Being a left-hander, Natarajan gives India a huge advantage and variety in their all right-handed bowling attack. He might not have the pace but has the guile and mental ability to bowl the right ball at the correct time.
The 29-year-old has played 20 FC matches and picked 64 wickets with a best of 5/41 and averages 27.03. Natarajan will be the Indian team’s best bet if they are looking to get some variety in their Test pace bowling attack.
SHARDUL THAKUR
However, he picked 3 wickets in the last ODI against Australia and two wickets in the T20I series that succeeded the ODI series and impressed the team management enough, that he was asked to stay back for the Tests as well, albeit as a net bowler.
Thakur has been one of the players whom the BCCI has marked for the future and his performances have been steadily getting better with the white ball. He has also worked on his fitness and the 29-year-old looks ready for his second go in Test cricket.
He also brings the ability with bat to the table and can add handy runs down the order, contributing extra to the team’s total. He is one of the prime candidates to replace Mohammad Shami in the Indian team, given that he is the most experienced one with 12 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India since his debut in 2017.