Star Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, who marked his return to competitive cricket with a seven-wicket haul after nearly a year, is set to join Team India for the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reports suggest that Shami will travel to Australia alongside Indian captain Rohit Sharma in the coming days.
The 34-year-old was initially excluded from India’s 18-member squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, commencing on November 22 in Perth. However, Shami demonstrated his fitness in a Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Elite Group C match, bowling over 40 overs for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. His impressive performance has reportedly earned him a spot in India’s Test squad.
According to Dainik Bhaskar, Shami will fly to Australia with skipper Rohit and is expected to join the team ahead of the series opener at Optus Stadium. A decision regarding his inclusion in the playing XI will be made closer to the first Test.
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Shami, who took 24 wickets in seven matches during the ODI World Cup 2023, last represented India in the World Cup final against Australia. Concerns over his fitness initially kept him out of the Test squad, but his successful return has dispelled any doubts, clearing the way for his comeback.
Shami’s addition is expected to bolster India’s pace attack, which currently includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. While Bumrah and Siraj have experience playing in Australia, Akash Deep has only five Test appearances since his debut in February 2024. Krishna has featured in just two Tests, and Harshit, though part of India’s limited-overs squads before, is yet to make his international debut.
