Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels India speedster Mohammed Shami’s absence from the Test series against South Africa is a big problem for India. Team India will play two Tests against South Africa with the first game starting in Centurion on December 26 as well. Shami was picked in the original Indian squad but he has now been ruled out of the series.

Reflecting on the development in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “Mohammed Shami is an amazing player. You are filled with pride with the kind of World Cup he had. He won’t be there. He has an injured ankle. In my opinion, it’s a big problem because when you think about Mohammed Shami, you see wickets with the new and old balls.”

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The former India opener further added: “You have seen his magic in ODIs but Test brings the best out of him. His Test numbers in South Africa are also thumbs-up with both hands. So we are going to miss you, Mohammed Shami. Who will come in his place will be a big question.”

Aakash Chopra also said that India could have played Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur and only one spinner if they wanted to play with a four-pace attack.

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“Deepak Chahar is not there. His father is out of danger now but he has decided to stay in India because of his father’s health. Akash Deep has become a part of the ODI leg in place of him. I feel for Deepak,” Aakash Chopra concluded. “He was out because of injury for a long time. He wasn’t dropped based on performance. Now when his turn came, he was there in T20Is and ODIs, and the pitches in South Africa would have suited him – unfortunate. I know his father well, I wish him really well, that he becomes fit and fine very soon.”