Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma has expressed uncertainty over the availability of fast bowler Mohammed Shami for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Shami has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“It’s difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series,” Sharma said. “He had a setback and had swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit and had to start again. He’s at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don’t want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed.”
Shami’s absence would be a significant blow to India’s bowling attack. The 32-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful fast bowlers in the country, with 216 wickets in 61 Tests.
He has not played since the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023. He was included in the squad for India’s two-Test tour of South Africa in December 2023, pending fitness approval. However, the BCCI medical team did not clear Shami for the tour, ruling him out of the matches.
Shami’s injury history is a concern for the Indian team. In 2015, he suffered a significant knee injury during the ODI World Cup in Australia. Nitin Patel, currently the head of the BCCI medical team, oversaw his recovery.
The Indian team management will be hoping that Shami can recover in time for the Australia series. The first Test is scheduled to begin on February 9 in Nagpur.
