Mohammad Shami set to forego ongoing Australia Test series to preserve himself for white-ball format: Report

Shami has not played for India since his appearance in the 2023 World Cup final.

By Salman Anjum - 13 Dec, 2024

There is a lot of speculation around Mohammad Shami’s participation in the last two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

The senior pacer has not played for India since his appearance in the ODI World Cup final in November last year. He underwent an operation on his Achilles tendon earlier this year, and then had an extended rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

Shami recently made his return to competitive action through the Ranji Trophy for Bengal. He is currently plying his trade in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Amid the varying reports, it is understood that Shami may choose to forego the series if the decision rests solely on him.

According to a PTI report, Shami himself "feels" that he is not ready to take the rigours of red-ball cricket right now and the right-arm quick may choose to preserve himself for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the subsequent Indian Premier League season for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

"The swelling seems to come and go. He himself is keen on playing more and more domestic cricket and hence the possibility of him once again playing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal (starting December 21) looks imminent at the moment.

"He can then bowl at least three spells and 10 overs per game," a BCCI source told PTI on the condition of anonymity.

"Shami is at the business end of his career. What if his knee acts up badly in Australia after a long spell? He will have to field on hard grounds. He missed the last IPL due to ankle surgery.

"This time, he has a hefty Rs 10 crore deal with SRH. You can't blame him if he wants to preserve himself for white ball format for now," the source added.

Addressing the media after India’s 10-wicket defeat in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval, skipper Rohit Sharma had provided a worrying update on Shami, stating that the fast bowler experienced swelling in his knees while playing for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

"We are just monitoring him because while playing (in the) Syed Mushtaq Ali, he again got some swelling in his knee. Obviously (that) hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful. We don't want to bring him here in a situation and he plays and then he pulls up sore or something happens. We don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. So, there are some professionals who are monitoring him," Rohit had told reporters.

In Shami's absence, India's pace department will continue to be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing tour Down Under, with the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep also in the ranks of the visitors.

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 13 Dec, 2024

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