Indian pacer, Mohammad Shami, will not be in the mix to be selected for the remaining two Border-Gavaskar Test matches, set to be played in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. A BCCI media release confirmed the news after a minor swelling developed in the right-arm pacer’s knee.
The media release came nearly a week after the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, asked for an update about the pacer during a post-match conference. Although Sharma said India would not take a chance unless they were ‘not 100%, but 200% sure’ about his fitness, there was some hope that Shami might get a game.
“So, there is no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not 100%, 200% sure, we’re not going to take any risk. But yeah, like I said in the last press conference, the door is open if those guys at the NCA feel that he is okay to go and recover and play, we’ll be happy to have him.” Rohit said, speaking to the media, following the Brisbane Test.
But the swelling in his knee means that India will have to stifle any such hopes, which will be a big blow to the side given Shami’s incredible record in SENA conditions.
“Shami bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November,” the BCCI press release read.
“Following this, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he also engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches.”
According to the release, the swelling appeared because of the bowler’s workload in domestic games. It merits mention here that Mohammad Shami last played for India in November last year but started bowling full tilt in domestic competitions this year.
“However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period.”
“Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI medical team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”
Shami underwent surgery in London earlier this year. Since then, he has been working with the Centre of Excellence. His playing the domestic game, especially for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy and shorter format games during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, formed the impression of his impending comeback. He was slated to join the team in the home Test tours versus Bangladesh and New Zealand, but the problem with his knee forced him to delay his return.
Although the BCCI has only just confirmed the issue with his knee, and by extension informed the team about his unavailability, Shami had reported discomfort in his knee to the board at least a week ago.
India and Australia will meet again for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, the fourth and penultimate Test of the series. The draw in Brisbane has exponentially increased the stakes involved, and both teams will look to get an upper hand in Melbourne.
