Shami will miss the series having tested positive for COVID-19.
Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav is reportedly set to replace Mohammad Shami in Team India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia after the latter was ruled out due to COVID-19.
Shami, who was set to make his T20I comeback after almost an year, has mild symptoms and his availability for the South Africa T20Is to follow will be dependent on his recovery from the coronavirus.
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“Yes, Shami has tested COVID-19 positive. But there is nothing to worry as the symptoms are mild. But he will have to remain in isolation and will be able to rejoin the squad once he tests negative. It is unfortunate but that is how life is,” a senior BCCI source told PTI.
Umesh Yadav is likely to make an unexpected comeback in the T20I scheme of things after more than three years having played the last of his 7 T20Is against the same opposition in 2019.
The 34-year-old was rehabbing at the National Cricket Academy after returning with a quad injury from his County stint with Middlesex.
“Umesh is fit now. He has been asked to join the Indian team in Mohali. The selectors want experienced bowlers in the ranks after the Asia Cup debacle,” a source told Times of India.
The three T20Is between India and Australia will be played on September 20, 23 and 25 in Mohali, Nagpur and Hyderabad respectively.