Mohammed Shami’s Return Boosts India’s Hopes for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
With the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia approaching, the return of veteran pacer Mohammed Shami has ignited excitement among Indian cricket enthusiasts. Shami, who has been sidelined with a long-term injury, made a remarkable comeback in the Ranji Trophy, sparking calls for his inclusion in the Test squad.
Kirti Azad, a member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, believes Shami should be part of the squad for the second Test in Adelaide, provided he is fully fit. “Mohammed Shami is the best seam bowler India has,” Azad said. “He has excellent control, can swing both ways, and is a very sensible bowler.”
Shami’s return to competitive cricket has been impressive. In his first match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, he claimed a seven-wicket haul, dismantling the opposition’s batting lineup. He also contributed with the bat, scoring a quickfire 37 runs.
To gain more playing time, Shami will represent Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth, followed by a Day-Night encounter in Adelaide from December 6.
Azad acknowledged the challenges of playing in Australia, particularly on the bouncy wickets of Perth and Melbourne. However, he expressed confidence in the Indian team’s ability to adapt to any conditions. “The Indian team is capable of playing on any track,” he said. “They have played against international bowlers and batters in IPL matches.”
Shami’s return provides a significant boost to India’s bowling attack. His experience, skill, and ability to swing the ball both ways will be crucial in the upcoming series. With Shami in the squad, India will have a more balanced and formidable bowling unit capable of challenging Australia’s formidable batting lineup.
