Ind vs Eng: With the Tests being part of the WTC cycle, Shami’s absence could hurt the hosts.
Mumbai: In what would come as a major setback for the Indian team, ace pacer Mohammed Shami is likely to miss the first two Tests against England due to his ankle injury. With the Tests starting from January 25, Shami is yet to start bowling and hence it looks unlikely he would feature in the XI. Shami was included in the Test squad for the series against South Africa but his availability was subject to fitness. After having not played the series, the question is – when will Shami return?
“Shami hasn’t even started to bowl, he will have to go to NCA and prove his fitness. He looks doubtful for the first two Tests against England,” a source in the BCCI told The Indian Express.
With Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah will be available, it is unlikely that the Indian board would rush Shami’s return. With spin also expected to play a major role, India won’t need its full set of fast bowlers.
Meanwhile, the BCCI announced the T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan at home. Shami’s name was missing from that list and so was Suryakumar Yadav’s name.
As per a report in the Indian Express, World’s No.1 ranked T20 batsman Suryakumar Yadav’s return to cricket could take longer as it is learnt that he is suffering from hernia and needs surgery. Yadav is expected to be completely fit by the time of the IPL.
India Squad For T20Is vs Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar