The mystery over Mohammed Shami’s continual absence from Team India remains, as the veteran pacer was again overlooked for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa at home. Shami last played
international cricket in March this year, and despite him bowling regularly in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, the selection committee continues to ignore him.
Shami has gone on record claiming absence of communication from the team management over why he’s not being considered for India. However, a latest report, citing an unnamed BCCI official, claims that Shami isn’t revealing the entire truth.
The official claims that the selectors and support staff have been in regular touch with the 35-year-old, and they were, in fact, “desperate” for him to be part of India’s Test tour of England earlier this year.
To check whether the seasoned campaigner could go through the rigours of red-ball cricket, he was asked to play in a tour game involving India A and England Lions in either Canterbury or Northampton.
However, the report claims that “the pacer responded by saying that he still needs to build his workload and shouldn’t be considered for the assignment.”
“There have been multiple times that national selectors and support staff from the BCCI Centre of Excellence have called to check on Shami. The selection committee was desperate to get his services in England as Jasprit Bumrah could not have played more than three Tests. Who wouldn’t want a bowler of his calibre in English conditions?” a senior board official told PTI.
“So the narrative that there was no communication with Shami isn’t an absolute truth. The sports science team also has his medical reports and whether his body will be able to take the rigours of international cricket,” the official added.
Shami Stars For Bengal But Doubts Linger
Shami has skipped the fourth round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, but in the first three matches, he has been impressive for Bengal. He has sent down 93 overs and taken 15 wickets in them.
However, doubts over his ability to withstand the demands of Test cricket remain after he was sidelined for a significant period due to a heel injury for which he underwent surgery last year.
It’s been reported that Shami hasn’t been bowling long spells for Bengal and taking multiple breaks during a day’s play with his average speed limited to 130 kmph.
