Mohammad Shami has been advised six weeks of rest and will return home on Wednesday (December 23) as per a report. His bowling arm was fractured after he was hit by a sharp bouncer from Pat Cummins which forced him to retire hurt in the second innings at Adelaide Oval. India were shot out for just 36 and lost the day-night Test by 8 wickets.

Shami was expected to play a big part for India in the remaining three Test matches, but his absence will be a big blow to the side which also lost Ishant Sharma before the series to a side strain. Virat Kohli left for India on Tuesday to be with his pregnant wife Anushka Sharma, ahead of the birth of their first child in early January.

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“Shami has been advised six weeks of rest and he will be leaving for India on Wednesday,” a source told IANS.

The fast bowler will have to undergo a brief period of quarantine upon arrival in India. He will be a doubtful starter for the first Test against England at home starting on February 5, and his availability will depend on how well he recovers from the injury.

(With IANS inputs)