The BCCI recently announced India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and one of the most notable absentees from the list was fast bowler Mohammed Shami. While fans were expecting Shami to make a return after his injury, the BCCI has decided to give him more time to recover fully, ensuring he’s fit for future key tournaments.
Initially, it was expected that Shami would miss only the first two Tests of the series against Australia and rejoin the squad later. During this time, he was set to play a couple of Ranji Trophy matches for Bengal to regain match fitness. However, the BCCI chose not to rush the ace pacer’s return, keeping his long-term fitness in mind.
Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup final, after which he underwent surgery on his injured ankle. Although his recovery was progressing well, a setback in the form of swelling in his knee delayed his full return to fitness. Skipper Rohit Sharma emphasized that the team did not want to risk taking an “undercooked” Shami to Australia, as it could lead to further complications.
With major tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship Finals ahead, India wants Shami to be in prime condition. While he continues to recover, Shami will focus on building his fitness through domestic cricket before rejoining the national squad for upcoming series.