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Former India captain Sourav Ganguly wants Mohammed Shami on the flight to Australia to play the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. Ganguly believes that Shami has proved his fitness on his return to Ranji Trophy cricket for Bengal and he should be shouldering arms with Jasprit Bumrah in Australia.
“Shami bowled nearly 45 overs, fielded for more than 100 overs and also scored some runs. That’s a good enough fitness test to be sent to Australia because you need a bowler of his calibre alongside Jasprit Bumrah," Ganguly told PTI.
Meanwhile, Shami has been named in Bengal's squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024. Bengal will play their campaign opener against Punjab on November 23.
In his first match after recovering from injury, Shami bagged seven wickets and helped Bengal register their first win of the season. They beat Madhya Pradesh in a thrilling encounter by 11 runs.
Shami's return to competitive cricket
In the first innings, he bowled 19 overs including four maidens and claimed four wickets for 54 runs. In Bengal's second innings, he contributed with a crucial 36-ball 37 featuring two fours and as many sixes. In the fourth innings of the Test, he claimed three wickets including Rajat Patidar who got knocked over. He bowled 24.2 overs including three maidens and conceded 102 runs. He took the final wicket of the innings in the form of tailender Kumar Kartikeya.
Shami had not played a single game since ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia. The pacer had revealed that he played the tournament with an injury. He joined the Indian contingent in Bengaluru during New Zealand Test series but wasn't picked in the squad for Australia.
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Shami's record in Australia
The 34-year-old has a good record on Australian pitches. He has 31 wickets from eight Tests including two five-wicket hauls.
There is a possibility that Shami may be recalled if a pacer gets injured in the current squad.
