New Delhi: Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami is fit but a call on his participation in the 3rd T20I against England on Tuesday will be taken by head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up on Shami’s fitness status during the pre-match pressure ahead of the 3rd T20I between the two sides which will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.
Shami has not played for India since the ODI World Cup final in November 2023 and underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon in London last year. The senior pacer was picked in India’s squad for the ongoing five-match T20I series to build his bowling workload and get into the groove ahead of the all-important Champions Trophy 2025 next month.
However, Shami is yet to play in the ongoing T20I series against the Jos Buttler-led side. Shami was mysteriously absent from the playing XI in the opener against England in Kolkata and once again failed to make the cut in the 2nd T20I in Chennai on Saturday. His absence sparked concerns regarding his fitness, leading to speculations.
However, batting coach Kotak confirmed there are no concerns as far as Shami’s fitness is concerned and a decision on his inclusion in the XI will be taken by head coach Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar.
“Yes, Shami is fit but something about him playing or not playing, I am not the one who can answer,” Kotak said in the pre-match presser on Monday.
“There is definitely a plan (for Shami) for coming matches as well and One-dayers, but the coach Gautam and obviously Surya will take a call. And fitness, definitely not a problem depending on how they are planning to build this load,” he added.
Mohammed Shami’s fitness crucial for India
Shami’s fitness is of paramount importance to India at a time when Jasprit Bumrah is also recovering from a back injury. Bumrah’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 remains doubtful reportedly despite him being part of India’s 15-man squad. In his absence, Shami is expected to lead India’s pace attack in the multi-nation tournament and his fitness will be crucial to the team’s chances.
If fit, Bumrah will partner Shami and the likes of Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya in India’s pace attack for the Champions Trophy 2025 which gets underway on February 19.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said there are no concerns as far as Mohammed Shami’s fitness is concerned. However, it remains to be seen if the senior pacer will return to action for India in the 3rd T20I against England in Rajkot on Tuesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
