Senior India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has reportedly been ruled out from the first two Test IND vs ENG Test matches in the upcoming home series.
Starting January 25, Rohit Sharma’s team will host Ben Stokes‘ Bazball players for an exciting 5-Test series. India have not lost a home Test series for a decade. But, England will take motivation from the fact that the last team to win a Test series in India was England, in the 2012/13 season.
India’s bowling attack with be without Mohammed Shami, at least for the first two Test matches as the fast bowler has yet not recovered from the ankle injury.
Shami had played throughout the World Cup 2023 with pain in his ankle – despite that, he bowled magnificently and was the leading wicket-taker. However, playing in the World Cup exacerbated that injury. He then missed the Test series in South Africa, which India drew 1-1.
IND vs ENG: Mohammed Shami hasn’t even started to bowl
The first two IND vs ENG will be played in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam from January 25 to February 6.
“Shami hasn’t even started to bowl, he will have to go to NCA and prove his fitness. He looks doubtful for the first two Tests against England,” a source in the Indian board told the Indian Express.
And while Mohammed Shami’s experience and superb form will be missed, the BCCI and team management will not be rushing him. India generally play with only two fast bowlers in home Test matches – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mukesh Kumar were brilliant in South Africa and Shami’s absence might not feel much in home Tests as it was in Centurion. India could also bring back Umesh Yadav, who has a superb record in Indian conditions.
The massive blockbuster series:
Bazball Vs India from 25th January. pic.twitter.com/JEBtQQ89dc
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 1, 2024
Ruturaj Gaikwad, too, likely to miss first couple of Tests
Another injured player who is expected to miss the first two IND vs ENG Tests is Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad was named in the Test squad to face South Africa, but was pulled out after suffering a finger injury during the ODIs in South Africa.
