India’s fast-bowling unit faces a significant setback ahead of their highly anticipated Test series against South Africa, as uncertainties cloud the inclusion of Mohammed Shami in the playing squad. The experienced pacer, who has been an integral part of India’s bowling attack, is reportedly grappling with an ankle injury that could potentially rule him out of the upcoming matches against the Proteas.
According to Cricbuzz’s report on December 5, Shami’s condition has prevented him from accompanying his teammates for the journey to South Africa. The contingent flying out includes none other than skipper Rohit Sharma, who is set to lead his side out of Mumbai on December 15 bound for Johannesburg. Unfortunately, as the last group of players prepares to depart, Shami’s absence is conspicuously noted.
The list of travelers also names prominent figures such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana, all of whom will be joining the tour through a connecting flight via Dubai. Although the Indian selectors have yet to announce a direct replacement for the 33-year-old pacer, there is a sense of confidence that one of the myriad Indian players, who are currently in South Africa for an assortment of T20Is, ODIs, Test matches, and A series, could step into the Test squad without much ado. Remarkably, the Indian contingent in South Africa boasts over 75 cricketers across different formats.
When the squad for the Test series was initially selected on November 30, Shami’s participation was contingent on his fitness. A statement from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) referenced Shami’s medical treatment and made clear that his availability was subject to his recovery.
Shami’s ankle issues are not a new development as he has been enduring pain, particularly when delivering the ball at the crease. Despite this, Shami shouldered the burdens of the World Cup, pushing through the discomfort.
The first Test match is slated to begin on Boxing Day, December 26, in Centurion, with a subsequent match at the iconic Newlands in Cape Town. Preceding the Test matches, a three-day warm-up game is scheduled from December 20 for those in the Test squad. Additionally, the ongoing T20I series concludes with the third match against South Africa at the Wanderers on the evening of December 20, to be quickly followed by three ODIs slated for December 17, 19, and 21.
Amidst these intense preparations and uncertainty surrounding his squad, Rohit Sharma took the opportunity to express his heartfelt thoughts to the passionate fan base. In a video message released on Wednesday, Sharma candidly spoke about the aftermath of the World Cup final. He described the difficulty in moving past the loss and acknowledged the outpouring of support from fans who appreciated the team’s effort. Sharma admitted the weight of shared dreams to lift the World Cup and the collective support received from those at the stadiums and watching from home. He concluded by expressing appreciation for the support during the one-and-a-half-month period, while also grappling with the feeling of disappointment from not succeeding in the ultimate goal.
As the cricketing world looks towards the intriguing matches ahead, the focal talking point continues to be the pace attack’s composition and whether Mohammed Shami’s experience and skill will grace the pitches in South Africa. As the community awaits further updates on his condition, India remains hopeful that its assembled roster will rise to the challenge, even in the absence of one of its crucial pace spearheads.