New Delhi: Mohammed Shami’s return to competitive cricket has put Indian team management in a huge dilemma ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Barring Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, Team India doesn’t have an experienced fast-bowling attack, which has tempted the management to ponder the possibility of sending Shami to Australia.
However, former India opening batter Aakash Chopra has voiced a strong opinion against the selection of the acer pacer Mohammed Shami for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting on November 22, Friday in Perth.
Shami made a sensational comeback to cricket after a long injury lay-off, picking up seven wickets for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy clash against Madhya Pradesh last week. The India pacer suffered an Achilles tendon injury for which he underwent surgery and was sidelined for almost one year. Shami’s last international outing was against Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad last November.
After undergoing intense rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Shami finally returned to action in the Ranji Trophy last week. The veteran pacer looked in good rhythm and reportedly had no fitness issues after bowling nearly 44 overs across two innings. In the first essay, he bowled 19 overs and snared 4 wickets; in the second innings, he bowled 24.2 overs and took 3 scalps.
“I’d say he is undercooked”
His superb bowling returns fuelled the possibility of his late inclusion in the India squad for the Australia tour. However, Chopra believes Shami is still ‘uncooked’ and shouldn’t be pushed to participate in the five-match Test series.
“Mohammed Shami has played a match (Ranji). We weren’t able to see much of his bowling as it was not being streamed. We did see the wickets he took. I’d say he is undercooked.” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
He also said India would risk a breakdown during the match if Shami is selected in the playing X1.
Shami was reportedly in the fray to be selected for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during India’s home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand but a knee niggle during the rehab pushed his comeback date further, prompting India skipper Rohit Sharma and the BCCI selection committee to not pick him for the gruelling tour Down Under.
Mohammed Shami Australia: India shouldn’t risk the selection of the veteran pacer in the gruelling five-match Test series in Australia, says former India opener Aakash Chopra. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
