Mohammed Shami, India’s pace man, is yet to be named in the Indian side to play the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy match against Australia, with cynics and commentators arguing on the consequences of his absence. Shami has been on a break of 13 months with injuries from playing for India but, with domestic form looking good, Indian team management is being cautious.
The veteran fast bowler who contributed to India’s ODI World Cup bid last year has had a tough 2024. Soon after the tournament, Shami underwent ankle surgery and a prolonged rehab. After initially being scheduled to be back for the Test series against Bangladesh in September, injuries stalled his return.
A swelling in Shami’s right knee made the return more difficult, keeping him out again for the New Zealand series. Nevertheless, he had made an awaiting professional debut last month, for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. A triumphant comeback, with Shami averaging 43 overs and seven wickets in the game. He subsequently followed it with a fine showing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, taking nine wickets in eight matches at economy rate of 7.49.
All of this looks great but selectors and coaching staff are treading slow. Following India’s first Test loss against Australia, Rohit Sharma had discussed Shami’s absence, and how the pacer should be fully fit before he is called back.
“We’re just watching him because he got some swelling in his knee playing against Syed Mushtaq Ali, which is making it difficult for him to come and play a Test match,” Rohit told us. “We are really careful. We don’t want to get him here, he goes all sore, or something.”
Rohit drew attention, saying, “It’s been a long time [since he played Tests]. We don’t want to pressure him to come here and do work for the team. There are experts watching him; we’ll call if they want. But he can come play at any time.”
Shami’s fitness is still on a close watch, with the club reportedly trying to gauge his tolerance for the physical demands of full-back cricket. Though his performance in home cricket is encouraging, some worry that he’s not up to the challenge of Test cricket.
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The pace attack in India, aside from the brilliant Jasprit Bumrah, has failed to make much of a dent in this series. In the Adelaide pink-ball Test, the Indian seamers (minus Bumrah) were not accurate and gave up runs at a worrying economy rate of 4.66 per over. Bumrah, however, has been great, being exceptionally disciplined with economy of 2.62.
In Shami, India has lost an established activist and an alpha campaigner in high stakes. As an accurate, back-swinging batsman who is capable of picking up bounce on any ground, Shami is not with us, particularly against bad pitches when playing in defence of Bumrah.
The managerial’s conservative strategy might reflect a more long-term vision of keeping Shami’s career alive, but its short-term effects are clear. The team have a real challenge on their hands to salvage a series win against a solid Australian side.
Shami’s Indian team resumption is far from certain but his resiliency in domestic cricket shows that he is close. Fans and fellow players are waiting for the day when he’ll wear the Indian jersey all over again, fit and poised to churn out his signature spells of flame.
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Until then, India need to use what is at their disposal and make sure one of their most reliable red-ball bowlers gets back to his senses. Shami may make his return in the coming weeks or be picked off later in the series based on his performance in the following weeks.
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