Reports from Cricbuzz indicate Mohammed Shami’s probable absence from the Test series against South Africa due to a significant ankle injury.
Mohammed Shami faces significant uncertainty for the South Africa Test series due to an ankle injury, possibly sidelining him from the crucial matches against the Proteas. Cricbuzz’s report on December 5 indicates Shami won’t join the final batch, including Rohit Sharma, departing for Johannesburg on Friday. While star players such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana are all set to travel to South Africa, the 33-year-old pace veteran won’t be joining them.
This absence has put selectors in a dillema, as no replacement has been named yet. However, with an extensive roster of over 75 Indian players touring South Africa across various formats, there’s speculation that one of the existing pacers might be roped in to fill Shami’s shoes for the Test series.
During squad selections for the South Africa series on November 30, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had mentioned that Shami’s inclusion was conditional due to ongoing medical treatment. Suffering from ankle pain, Shami had managed the World Cup workload despite discomfort, particularly while landing on his right foot during delivery.
The first Test is set for December 26 at Centurion, followed by another at Newlands in Cape Town. Ahead of the Tests, a three-day game for Test selections is scheduled from December 20. Meanwhile, India continues its T20I series against South Africa, with the third match at Wanderers, followed by three ODIs on December 17, 19, and 21.
Last Updated on December 14, 2023
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