Premier Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is unlikely to join the national team in Australia soon, as he awaits fitness clearance from the National Cricket Academy (NCA). According to a Cricbuzz report, Shami’s absence is keenly felt by Team India during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains undecided about his potential deployment Down Under.
The NCA’s Sports Science wing, based in Bengaluru, is closely monitoring Shami’s progress. Despite his participation in domestic cricket, they have yet to submit a final fitness report. Earlier, a dedicated team comprising national selector SS Das, BCCI’s Sports Science head Nitin Patel, and strength and conditioning trainer Nishanta Bordoloi travelled to Rajkot to assess Shami during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
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Representing Bengal in the SMAT, Mohammed Shami showcased his bowling prowess by claiming eight wickets in seven matches. While his performance proved encouraging, concerns linger over his ability to handle the physical rigours of Test cricket, especially following a year-long injury hiatus.
🚨Mohammed Shami is unlikely to fly to Australia anytime soon. Indications are that he has not yet received fitness clearance from the BCCI @vijaymirror with the latest: https://t.co/fRj05taQ10 pic.twitter.com/cPnfBwYZ7L
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 7, 2024
Although he bowled at full intensity in the shorter format, transitioning to the endurance demands of red-ball cricket remains a significant challenge. The report indicates that the earliest Mohammed Shami could return is for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, starting December 26.
However, even that timeline appears optimistic, with the possibility of him missing the entire Australian series. A potential comeback during the final Test in Sydney early next year is also under consideration but remains uncertain.
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Currently, Shami continues to represent Bengal, which has advanced to the knockout stage of the SMAT. The team faces Chandigarh in the pre-quarterfinals at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium on November 9, where Shami is expected to play a crucial role. Additionally, the veteran pacer was recently acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10 crore during the IPL mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, further emphasizing his value across formats.
