India's senior pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been named in Bengal's squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, indicating that his full readiness for the grueling Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024-25 is still uncertain. While Shami has made a comeback in domestic cricket after recovering from an ankle injury, his performance in the T20 format does not guarantee his fitness for test matches, particularly in Australia. Though there have been speculations about Shami's inclusion in the rest of the BGT series, his participation remains doubtful as he is yet to prove his fitness in longer-format matches. This could potentially impact India's performance in the upcoming test series against Australia.
Mohammed Shami's Uncertain Fitness Raises Doubts for India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy Hopes
India's senior pace bowler Mohammed Shami has raised concerns about his readiness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite being named in Bengal's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, his recent performances and injury history have cast a shadow over his availability for the crucial test series.
Background:
Shami, 32, was sidelined for over two months due to an ankle injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022. He made his competitive return in the T20 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he picked up 10 wickets in five matches. However, T20 cricket is a vastly different format from test matches, and his performances in shorter formats do not necessarily guarantee his fitness for the rigors of five-day cricket.
Concerns for Australia Tour:
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be played in Australia, known for its fast, bouncy pitches that present a different challenge to bowlers compared to Indian conditions. Shami's ability to withstand the workload of four test matches in a row while maintaining his pace and accuracy is a major question mark.
Speculations and Impact:
There have been speculations that Shami may be included in the Indian squad for the remaining matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but his participation remains uncertain without a proven track record in longer-format matches. If Shami is unable to return to full fitness, it would be a significant blow to India's bowling attack, as he is one of the most experienced and reliable seamers in the team.
Top 5 FAQs:
Q1: Is Mohammed Shami injured? A: Yes, Shami sustained an ankle injury during the IPL in 2022.
Q2: Has Shami played any competitive cricket since his injury? A: Yes, he has played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bengal.
Q3: Is Shami in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? A: No, he has not been named in the squad yet, but there are speculations about his inclusion.
Q4: What is the significance of Shami's fitness for India? A: Shami is one of India's most experienced and reliable pace bowlers, and his fitness is crucial for the team's success in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Q5: What are the alternative options for India if Shami is unavailable? A: If Shami is unable to play, India has a number of other options, including Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, and Prasidh Krishna.
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