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It is reported that Shami’s selection will only take place once the BCCI gets the go-ahead from the NCA Sports Science Wing.
Mohammed Shami has been out of action nearly a year now. (PTI Photo)
It is reported that Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will only take place if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) can ensure that the move is the right one to make.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the Indian team management and the selectors want to see the veteran pacer take part in more games before considering him for the ongoing Test series against Australia.
Shami who represents Bengal in the domestic circuit has been playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the one four-day game in the Ranji Trophy before his return to competitive cricket.
The report suggests that in terms of fitness, Shami has been ticking a lot of boxes which are good signs for the pacer. The quick bowler is being monitored closely by the BCCI’s Sport Science Department and a national selector. Nitin Patel, the head of the Sports Science division and trainer Nishant Bardule along with the selector SS Das have been in Saurashtra, monitoring Shami’s fitness closely.
Among the key metrics include whether Shami will be able to handle the intensity that comes with playing Test cricket if he was to be called up to the Indian team.
The report claims that Shami has been working closely with the NCA trainer but now the latter has left Rajkot and given the veteran pacer some drills to follow. The BCCI does not intend on selecting Shami until he is given the go-ahead from the Sports Science Department.
Shami has been a crucial member of the Indian team, especially in the longest format. His return to the side, especially during the Border-Gavaskar series could mean that India has their first-choice fast-bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, an ideal set of options to have when going up against the Aussies.
Bengal have three more games against Meghalaya, Bihar and Rajasthan where Shami could continue proving that he is ready to play Tests for India again. He has not played an international game since the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
