Shami's Test Hopes Dwindle as Ranji Snub Likely Rules Him Out of Australia Series
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, already facing criticism following a home whitewash against New Zealand, were keen to bolster the team’s pace attack with Shami’s experience.
India’s hopes for a strong pace lineup in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia have taken a hit, as Mohammed Shami was omitted from Bengal's squad for the next two Ranji Trophy matches. With India seeking qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Shami’s absence from the squad makes it highly unlikely he will be available for the critical Test series against Australia.
The omission follows Shami’s recent ankle surgery in February, which sidelined him after the 2023 ODI World Cup final. Despite expressing confidence in his recovery, saying he was back to bowling at full strength, Shami is yet to regain full fitness, leaving the Indian camp concerned. India had hoped Shami could demonstrate match-readiness in Bengal’s Ranji matches against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, but his absence has raised questions about his availability.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, already facing criticism following a home whitewash against New Zealand, were keen to bolster the team’s pace attack with Shami’s experience. Mohammed Siraj’s struggles with rhythm and the relatively inexperienced Akash Deep as a potential third seamer make Shami’s return all the more crucial. The absence of a senior bowler like Shami could impact India's chances of staging a comeback after the New Zealand loss, and it adds pressure on Jasprit Bumrah to lead the pace attack effectively.
India’s squad now looks to rely on alternative options to navigate a challenging series in Australia without the seasoned pacer, with the BCCI yet to provide an official update on Shami’s fitness status.
