Srinagar: India’s pace ace Mohammad Shami has been out of action due to injury and the recent comments made by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah have sparked concern over pacers availability for Australia series.
Shami has been out due to injury since the 2023 ODI World Cup final in November last year, Shami is all set to return next month in the Ranji Trophy tournament, before playing for India in the home Test series against New Zealand.
But selectors have a bigger plan for Shami – Border-Gavaskar Test series in December in Australia.
However, during an interview with the Times of India last week, Shah hinted that Shami in all likelihood would be on the plane to Australia for the much-anticipated Test series.
“Your question about Shami is right… he will be there because he is experienced, and we need him in Australia,” he said.
Later, on Sunday, news agency PTI reported that the 34-year-old fast bowler will make a comeback after 10 months in the for his domestic side, Bengal, in the upcoming Ranji Trophy tournament next month.
He will play either one or both of Bengal’s opening away Ranji matches, against Uttar Pradesh on October 11 and the next one in Kolkata against Bihar on October 18. This will be followed by an appearance in one of the three Tests against New Zealand, which will start on October 19 in Bengaluru and will be followed by Tests in Pune (October 24) and Mumbai (November 1), before gearing up for the Australia series.
However, Shami, who continues his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, is yet to confirm his participation in the Australia series as Shah reckoned that his availability still depends on his fitness.
“Shami playing the Australia series or not is a matter of his fitness, and a decision will be taken after the NCA report,” Shah told ANI.