Mohammed Shami, the elite pacer, is probably going to miss the first two Test matches of the five-match series against England, which starts on January 25. He has been urged to take a sabbatical from the sport after he claimed to have played during the ODI World Cup 2023 in discomfort. The cricket player was also ruled out of the two-match Test series against South Africa due to an ankle ailment, from which he is currently rehabilitating.
The 33-year-old has not yet begun bowling in the nets, according to sources. Authorities with BCCI anticipate that the bowler will evaluate his fitness at the NCA before joining the Test team.
Shami will be part of the team in Rajkot for the third Test if he makes a full recovery.
“Shami hasn’t even begun to bowl; he needs to demonstrate his fitness at NCA.” For the first two Test matches against England, he is doubtful, an Indian board source informed the Indian Express.
For the first two Test matches against England, either Mukesh Kumar or Prasidh Krishna might start in lieu of Shami. While Prasidh looked respectable and skipper Rohit Sharma wasn’t pleased with his performance in the first Test of the series in Centurion, Kumar was magnificent with the ball in the second Test against the Proteas at Newlands, Cape Town.
For the thrilling series against the Three Lions, every Test cricket player except Shami is fit. After the series against Afghanistan concludes on January 17, the team will reassemble in Hyderabad.
As for the Test series, the selectors have not yet revealed the team. The Ranji Trophy games’ first round should be taken into consideration, as veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara appeared to be in excellent condition, Hanuma Vihari struck a half-century, and Riyan Parag scored 155 runs off just 87 deliveries.
However, Suryakumar has not yet fully healed from his ankle injury, and BCCI will probably send him overseas to receive additional care.