India faces challenges as Mohammed Shami is ruled out of the New Zealand Test series, casting uncertainty on the upcoming Australia tour. Rohit Sharma emphasizes the importance of Shami's full recovery before returning to international play.

With Mohammed Shami unavailable for the India-New Zealand Test series, India has encountered a setback as they prepare for the five-Test series in Australia starting in November. Captain Rohit Sharma announced that Shami’s recovery faced complications, and the team is cautious about rushing him back to the field.

"Honestly, it's challenging for us to determine his [Shami’s] fitness for both this series and the one in Australia," Rohit shared during a press conference before the Bengaluru Test. "He recently experienced a setback with a swelling in his knee, which was unexpected while he was nearing full fitness. This has delayed his recovery."

Shami, who had already been sidelined due to a left Achilles injury after last year’s World Cup, is now dealing with this knee issue, leaving Rohit uncertain about his return for the Australia series. "For a fast bowler who has missed a significant amount of cricket, it’s tough to come back and perform at peak levels immediately. We want to ensure he is completely fit. The medical team has laid out a recovery plan that includes playing a few matches before returning to international play. We’ll assess his status after the New Zealand series and decide on his readiness for Australia," he said.

In light of Shami’s absence, India has included several traveling reserves for the Test series against New Zealand, namely Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Nitish Reddy. Prasidh Krishna, initially part of the squad, has encountered another injury setback during Karnataka's Ranji Trophy match, where he bowled only eight overs. Rohit noted that all backup players are being considered for the Australia series.

"The rationale behind keeping these players close is that we are considering them for the tour to Australia. We need to monitor their workloads carefully since many have had injuries in the past. Our goal is to build a robust bench strength, aiming for 8 to 9 fast-bowling options rather than just 3 or 4," Rohit explained.

He further emphasized the need for a similar depth in batting. "We have numerous batting options, and we want to develop the same for our bowling unit. By keeping these players with us, we can ensure they are prepared to step in whenever needed. They have recently participated in matches like the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy, so we need to manage their performance carefully."

Rohit added that nurturing talent is vital for the future of Indian cricket. "When we identify talented players, it’s essential to integrate them into the team environment. They have shown promise, and we want to see if they are ready for the demands of Test cricket, which is quite different from limited-overs formats."

The discussion also touched on Rohit’s potential unavailability for part of the India-Australia series. Jasprit Bumrah has been appointed vice-captain for the New Zealand series, but Rohit’s absence details are still unclear. However, he expressed confidence in Bumrah’s leadership abilities.

"Bumrah has extensive experience, and I've played a lot of cricket alongside him. He has a strong understanding of the game. Although he has limited captaincy experience, he demonstrates a good grasp of what is needed in various situations," Rohit stated.

He acknowledged Bumrah’s role in the leadership group, noting that he has been involved in guiding newer players and discussing strategies within the team. "Bumrah’s experience and insight make him a valuable asset in leadership discussions, and we believe it’s beneficial for him to be a part of these conversations," Rohit concluded.