Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik believes that the Indian team is missing seasoned pacer Mohammad Shami’s services in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park, Centurion.

According to Karthik, Shami would have done well with the ball on the seam-friendly track in Centurion.

Notably, South Africa ended the second day on 256/5, leading India by 11 runs. Opener Deal Elgar starred with the bat for the Proteas, returning with an unbeaten 140.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets each while debutant Prasidh Krishna returned with one scalp.

However, Karthik believes Shami's skills would have been useful on Day 2 during South Africa’s first innings.

"The man has grown in stature as a bowler and as a leader of the pack. He is an able lieutenant to Jasprit Bumrah. You can imagine with the upright seam on this kind of pitch. I promise you, he would have definitely gotten a few wickets. The Indian team really misses him," Karthik said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

After the World Cup 2023, Shami developed an ankle condition and couldn’t travel to South Africa for the red-ball series. The right-arm quick was initially named in the Test squad but his inclusion was subject to fitness clearance.

Karthik pointed out that Bumrah and Siraj bowled good spells on Day 2 but they didn’t get enough support from Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur.

"Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna going for close to 118 runs in their 27 overs. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj going for just 111 in their 31 overs. Siraj was a tad bit expensive, especially in the last spell, they also bowled some brilliant balls. You could see every time they were on, you got the feeling that they could get you a wicket or two. Whereas with Shardul or Prasidh, you had to wait for a batter to make a mistake," Karthik remarked.