Mohammed Shami, India’s premier fast bowler, is set to join the team in Australia for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, according to his childhood coach Mohammed Badruddin. Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles injury but made a successful return to competitive cricket in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.
Shami’s return is a major boost for India, who are looking to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran pacer has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests and has been a key member of India’s fast-bowling attack in recent years.
Former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shami’s return will strengthen India’s pace attack and give them a better chance of winning the series. “If anything, I would have wanted a little more support for Jasprit (Bumrah) in the pace-bowling attack. So the quicker Mohammed Shami gets fit and is on a flight, I think it’s better for India,” Shastri said.
Shami is expected to join the Indian team after the second Test in Adelaide. India need to win four of the five Tests in Australia to have a big shot at sealing their place in a third straight World Test Championship final.
Shami has played a pivotal role in India’s success in recent years, including their first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018/19. He is a proven performer in Australian conditions and his return will be a major boost for India’s chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
