The Board of Control for Cricket in India is awaiting approval from the National Cricket Academy to fly fast bowler Mohammad Shami to Australia for the remaining three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The Indian Express understands that the senior selection committee is awaiting the results of a recent fitness test from the NCA to include him in the Test squad.
It is said that the BCCI has prepared the clothes for the pacer and his visa has also been prepared and he will go to Australia as soon as he is declared fit.
India got off to a winning start in Perth but missed Shami’s presence in the Adelaide Pink Ball Test, where Harshit Rana has been costly so far.
Day/night Tests in Perth and Adelaide would have suited Shami, but a bowler of his skill and ability doesn’t always need conditions in his favour. (Reuters)
“The selection committee is awaiting Shami’s fitness clearance report from the NCA. He had gone to Bengaluru for a fitness test. He played in Ranji Trophy as well as Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, where he looked good. His kit is also ready. We are just waiting for the approval from the NCA,” the BCCI official said.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri expressed concern over India’s pace attack and said that only after Shami’s return to the team for the remaining three Tests will the team get a boost. Commenting on Star Sports, Ravi Shastri said, ‘The sooner he (Shami) gets here, the better.
Shami, who last played in a Test when India lost to Australia in the World Test Championship final in June 2023, made a successful comeback after a one-year break due to a knee injury. The 34-year-old spearheaded the Bengal pace attack in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, taking 8 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of 7.67 to reach the knockouts.
Shami also played in the Ranji Trophy match and led Bengal to a thrilling seven-wicket win over Madhya Pradesh.
However, Shastri said Shami is likely to be back in the squad in time for the next Test, which starts in Brisbane on December 14. The fourth and fifth Tests of the series will be played in Melbourne and Sydney between December 26 and January 7.
“I think Brisbane might be a bit early, Melbourne and Sydney might be,” Shastri commented.