India will be without star pacer Mohammed Shami for their upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16. In Shami’s absence, Jasprit Bumrah, who is also the vice-captain, will lead the pace attack, supported by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. Shami was initially slated to play in the series, marking his return to international cricket after nearly 11 months away.
However, during the final phase of his recovery from an earlier injury, a swollen knee delayed his comeback. Captain Rohit Sharma confirmed that the pacer’s return to the squad had to be postponed due to this unexpected setback.
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There is still hope that Mohammed Shami will recover in time for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a significant five-match series against Australia in early 2024. Cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar believes that if Shami is fit, he should be included in the squad for this crucial series. According to Manjrekar, Shami’s physical fitness should be the main priority, not necessarily match fitness.
“If he’s physically fit and can bowl 30 overs per inning, he should go straight into the team. His bowling relies on technique more than physical exertion. His magic lies in his final delivery stride and his wrist work, which troubles even top-class batters,” Sanjay Manjrekar stated in an exclusive interview with CricTracker. He emphasized that Shami, even at less than full fitness, could still perform at a high level and should be included in the Playing XI if he clears fitness tests.
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Meanwhile, the first Test against New Zealand, scheduled in Bengaluru, faces potential rain delays. With thunderstorms expected, there’s a strong chance of interruptions. However, thanks to the advanced SubAir drainage system at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, overseen by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), any delays might be shorter than anticipated.
