Mohammed Shami's availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia is still unknown. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) has not yet provided the seasoned fast bowler with an official report, despite reports that the Indian team management is eager to jet Shami to Australia as soon as possible. After having surgery on his ankle, Shami's return was delayed because he sustained a knee ailment while recovering. In the Ranji Trophy, he successfully returned to playing competitive cricket for Bengal. He played one four-day match and took seven wickets as a right-arm pacer.
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, the 34-year-old then spearheaded Bengal's pace attack, taking eight wickets at a 7.67 economy in seven games to advance to the knockout stages. Although the 64-Test veteran has performed well in his games, the NCA medical staff is not in a rush to send him to Australia.
"The selection committee is waiting for the NCA’s fitness clearance report on Shami. He travelled to Bengaluru to give a fitness test. He played the Ranji Trophy as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20s, where he looked good. His kit is also ready. We are just waiting for the approval from the NCA," a BCCI official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
India eye Shami boost in Australia
Given how poorly the pace attack performed in the current pink-ball Test match against Australia in Adelaide, it was natural that Team India was desperate to get Shami back. The only player who appeared to be taking a wicket each time he came on to bowl was Jasprit Bumrah. India's speed leader, who had a slight injury scare on Day 2 of the Test, was under a lot of pressure after that. Although Mohammed Siraj had some strong moments, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, the backup pacers, lacked discipline and lethality.
Ravi Shastri demands Shami's inclusion
Travis Head smashed numerous boundaries off Rana, exploiting the gap in India's pace attack. Concerned about India's pace attack, former head coach Ravi Shastri stated that Shami's return to the team for the final three Test matches would be the only improvement for the team.
"The quicker he (Shami) reaches here, the better," Ravi Shastri said during commentary on Saturday.
The third Test in Brisbane, which begins on December 14, is not far from the day-night Test. Although it appears unlikely that Shami will be able to join the Indian team prior to the Brisbane Test, he may be able to make it to the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne if he can persuade the NCA medical staff, which is led by Nitin Patel, and Shib Sundar Das, a member of India's selection committee, bypassing the required fitness tests.