Former India head coach Ravi Shastri reckons that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should add Mohammed Shami to the Rohit Sharma-led squad as soon as possible. He also said that adding Shami to the squad will help Bumrah to ease down his pressure in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Shami is currently featuring for Bengal in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) where he picked up eight wickets in seven matches. The 34-year-old is making his cricketing comeback after recovering from an injury he got in 2023 ODI World Cup.
"Quicker Mohammed Shami reaches here, (the) better (it is) for India. He is playing a lot of domestic matches,” Shastri said during commentary on day two of the second Test here.
"You can see the pressure (on the opposition) when Bumrah is bowling and others are bowling. There is a lot of pressure on Bumrah." Everything seems to be falling in place for the seasoned pacer who has played seven matches, taking eight wickets for Bengal in the domestic T20 competition.
Shami has bowled several measly spells, indicating that he has regained his rhythm and control, as he continues his comeback under the close monitoring of National Cricket Academy officials and a national selector.
The former India captain, however, cautioned against rushing Shami for the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane, scheduled from December 14-18.
"Brisbane might be too early but surely (Shami can be available for) Melbourne and Sydney," the 62-year-old said.
Shami has had a successful run against Australia in Tests, taking 44 wickets in 12 matches of which 31 have come in eight Tests Down Under.
However, there as per cricbuzz reports, Shami will miss more Tests against Australia and the speedster will most likely to join squad for the fifth Test.