Veteran India pacer Mohammed Shami is unlikely to feature in the first two matches of the upcoming five-Test series against England, slated to get underway on January 25 in Hyderabad.
Shami has been out of action ever since India’s World Cup 2023 final loss to Australia on November 19. He was initially named in the Test squad for the recently held South Africa tour but couldn’t travel to the Rainbow Nation due to ankle issues.
According to a report published in The Indian Express, the right-arm quick hasn’t resumed bowling post his ankle injury.
“Shami hasn’t even started to bowl, he will have to go to NCA and prove his fitness. He looks doubtful for the first two Tests against England. Whereas in Yadav’s case he will take more time than expected. After his hernia operation it might take up to eight-nine weeks for him to start training. Hopefully he will be fit during the IPL,” The Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.
The report also claimed that the BCCI will not rush Shami’s return since the five-match Test series is being played at home and Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be available. With spin likely to play a critical role, India won’t need the services of all their fast bowlers against England.
In another development, India’s dashing batter Suryakumar Yadav’s return to action could take a little longer.
As per a TOI report, Surya, who picked up an ankle injury during the T20I series against South Africa last month, is suffering from sports hernia and will soon undergo surgery in Germany. Consequently, he is set to miss the entire domestic season and most probably the initial phase of IPL 2024.
“SKY was recently diagnosed with sports hernia. He is currently recuperating at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. In two-three days, he will fly for Munich, Germany, to get operated for it. It means that he certainly won’t be playing for Mumbai this season in the Ranji Trophy and is likely to miss the initial games for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL,” a source in the BCCI told TOI.
“With the T20 World Cup in June, Surya will be given all the time to recover properly. He is crucial to India’s chances in the T20 World Cup,” the source added.
In the absence of injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav led India in the three-match T20I series against South Africa last month. He sustained his ankle injury during the final T20I in Johannesburg.
