Bengaluru: With the much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar series looming, Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma on Tuesday expressed caution regarding the availability of fast bowler Mohammad Shami.
On the eve of India’s first Test against New Zealand at Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday, Sharma at a press conference acknowledged that Shami's recovery from a knee injury remains uncertain.
Shami, who has been sidelined since the conclusion of the ODI World Cup due to a combination of ankle and knee injuries, is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), undergoing a rigorous rehabilitation process.
Rohit’s update has raised concerns among Indian fans, who are hopeful the pacer will regain full fitness ahead of the Australian series.
"To be honest, it is difficult to make a call on him for the Australia series. He had a setback and swelling in his knees. That put him back a little bit, and he had to start again. He's at the NCA with doctors and physios. We don't want to bring undercooked Shami to Australia. We are keeping our fingers crossed," Rohit stated.
Shami’s potential absence would be a significant blow to India’s bowling unit. Known for his ability to extract movement on hard surfaces, Shami’s pace, coupled with the skills of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, forms the backbone of India’s attack in challenging overseas conditions.
A full-strength bowling lineup would be key as India eye a third consecutive series victory on Australian soil.
As speculation about his fitness circulated in the media, Shami took to social media to address the situation. He lashed out at rumors suggesting he had been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, branding the reports "baseless." In his post, Shami wrote:
"Why these type of baseless rumours? I’m working hard and trying my level best to recover. Neither the BCCI nor I have mentioned that I am out of the Border-Gavaskar series. I request the public to stop paying attention to such news from unofficial sources. Please stop and don’t spread such fake, fake, fake & fake news, especially without my statement."
Shami’s public statement underscores his determination to return to the field, but uncertainty still surrounds the timeline for his recovery. Having already undergone surgery on his ankle, his knee injury represents another hurdle in his comeback journey.
India’s bowling attack, historically a weakness on foreign soil, has transformed in recent years into a formidable force. A fit Shami, paired with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj, is crucial for India as they prepare for the high-pressure environment of Australian pitches.
Shami’s reverse swing and Bumrah’s deadly yorkers have previously proven invaluable, making the trio one of the most feared bowling combinations in Test cricket.
India's hopes for a third straight Border-Gavaskar series win rest heavily on their bowling firepower. The upcoming five-match series promises to be fiercely contested, and every player’s fitness is crucial as India seeks to maintain their dominance in one of the world’s most iconic cricketing rivalries.
While Shami continues his rehabilitation at the NCA, team management and fans alike are holding onto hope that their star pacer will recover in time for the marquee event. As the Test calendar heats up, all eyes are now on Shami’s recovery, with everyone waiting anxiously for the next update.
