Both the pacers have recovered from their respective injuries.
As per a TOI report, the two pacers have recovered from their respective injuries and have been asked by the team management to not feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy from February 20.
The squad for the final two Tests will be picked after the conclusion of the second Test in Chennai. The selectors might also name the squad for the five-match T20I series that follows the Tests.
Shami had copped a blow on his wrist from Pat Cummins’ short delivery during India’s second innings debacle at Adelaide on December 19. The injury was so severe that it ruled him out of the remaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy fixtures Down Under. Subsequently, he returned home for extensive rehabilitation programme at the NCA.
On the other hand, Saini had picked up a groin injury during the Gabba Test last month.
“Saini is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. He has bowling at full tilt. The Delhi selectors wanted to have his services for the Vijay Hazare Trophy but Saini was asked to stay back at NCA as he is likely to join the team in Ahmedabad,” a BCCI source told TOI.
The report also suggests that Shami had resumed bowling 10 days ago and he is close to attaining match fitness. Umesh Yadav too has started bowling at the NCA after healing from his calf injury.
According to TOI, the team management is keen on having Saini fresh for the T20I series, starting March 12.
Moreover, the selection panel is looking at forming a pool of T20 specialists from domestic cricket, considering the T20 World Cup 2021 in mind.
“One must realise there has been no India ‘A’ tours in the last year and it is difficult to hold one in the near future. This is essentially the ‘A’ team,” the source said.
As per the report, players such as Ishan Kishan, Nitish Rana and Sidharth Kaul will be part of the pool.
“This is the reason they were asked to report NCA for fitness tests. These players have been informed that they will be in standbys for the India T20I team. This is the reason why Rana wasn’t made the captain of the Delhi team for the Vijay Hazare tournament. These players could be called into Indian team anytime. They will be essentially appearing for trials,” the source added.
(With TOI inputs)