Mohammed Shami Poised To Strengthen India In Border-Gavaskar Series Against Australia

Mohammed Shami is set to travel to Australia for India's five-match Test series beginning on November 22, as nearly confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. Shami's return is crucial with India scheduled to play 10 Test matches between September and January.

The premier Indian pacer has been sidelined since the 2023 World Cup final against Australia on November 19. He underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon in February and has been in rehabilitation since then.

BCCI president Jay Shah has almost confirmed Shami's inclusion in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shah emphasised the importance of Shami's experience for the Australian tour.

"Our team is already well prepared. We have rested Jasprit Bumrah for a while now. Mohammad Shami is expected to be fit too. This is an experienced Indian side now. Seniors like Rohit and Kohli are fit," he told Times of India when asked about India's preparation for the tour of Australia.

"Your question about Shami is right... he will be there because he is experienced, and we need him in Australia," Shah added.

Shami was anticipated to return in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, but his chances appear slim after not being named in any of the four squads for Duleep Trophy 2024.

The BCCI mandates that players must participate in a domestic match post-injury before rejoining the Indian cricket team. The first Test against Bangladesh starts on September 19, and Shami will miss the initial round of Duleep Trophy matches starting September 5.

"It's difficult to say when I will be back," Mohammed Shami recently said at a felicitation ceremony at East Bengal club in Kolkata.

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Snehashish Ganguly also mentioned that Shami was keen to play in Australia. "He wants to be on that tour," Ganguly said during an interaction on Monday. "But he has to play Ranji Trophy to prove himself."

Earlier, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had expressed hope that Shami would be part of the Test series against Bangladesh. "September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that," he had said before India's departure for Sri Lanka in July.

India will play their second Test against Bangladesh from September 27, followed by a three-match T20I series starting October 6. A three-match Test series at home against New Zealand is also scheduled to start from October 16.