New Delhi. There is good news for the Indian cricket team. Match-winning fast bowler Mohammed Shami can leave for Australia soon. Shami is currently playing for Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He is ready to play in the last two Test matches of the ongoing 5-match series against Australia. Their ‘playing kit’ has already reached Australia. And getting fitness clearance from the NCA medical team is just a formality. It may not be easy for this experienced Bengal cricketer to play in the Test starting in Brisbane from 14th December, but it is certain that he will play in the fourth Test in Melbourne on ‘Boxing Day’ (26th December).
A source close to this cricketer said that the fitness certificate from NCA will be received very soon. The source told PTI, ‘Mohammed Shami’s Indian kit has already been sent to Australia. He will complete the Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament and then leave. Shami (34 years) last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023 and after that he had to stay out for a long time due to ankle surgery.
There is a lot of pressure on Bumrah… send Shami quickly to Australia, Shastri is not able to see Jasprit’s problem.
The medical team will assess Shami
His return against New Zealand seemed certain, but just before this, Shami’s knee got swollen which delayed his return. With the knockout rounds of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy being held in Bengaluru, NCA (National Cricket Academy) head of the medical team Dr Nitin Patel and ‘strength’ and conditioning trainer Nishant Bordoloi are expected to be involved in Bengal’s team’s campaign in the National T20 Championship. Will assess them after completion.
‘Shami will join us in Bengaluru by tomorrow’
Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla is keeping an eye on his main bowler. He said, Shami will play the pre-quarter final for us against Chandigarh. He will join us in Bengaluru by tomorrow. However, I don’t know whether he will be available if we qualify for the quarter-finals. It seems that he will be fit and available for Australia’s last two Tests. Shukla also agrees with former India captain Ravi Shastri who feels Shami is needed in Brisbane. Team India’s former head coach Ravi Shastri said in the commentary on the second day of the Adelaide Test that Team India needs Shami. Shastri said that there is a lot of pressure on Bumrah, hence it is very important for Shami to go there.
Tags: IND vs AUS, India vs Australia, Mohammed Shami
FIRST PUBLISHED : December 7, 2024, 6:57 PM IST