Mohammed Shami To Miss India's First Two Tests Against England

image-lr4dxyitShami will miss the first two Tests against England. (X.com)

In a major setback for the Indian team, fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the first two Test matches of the upcoming five-match series against England, starting on January 25, as he hasn't recovered from his ankle injury.

Initially included in the Test squad for the recent series against South Africa, Shami was withdrawn by the BCCI due to his failure to recover. Although hopes were high for his return before the England series, recent reports from the Indian Express suggest Shami has yet to resume bowling and will need to undergo fitness tests at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to establish his readiness.

According to a BCCI source cited by the Indian Express, "Shami hasn’t started bowling, and he will have to visit the National Cricket Academy to prove his fitness. He is likely to miss the first two Tests against England."

Given the nature of the pitches in India, which are spin-friendly, and the availability of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the BCCI is cautious not to rush Shami back. With spinners likely to play a big role in comparison with the seamers, India will need to manage their pace resources judiciously, considering both Shami and Bumrah have a history of injuries. However, the team hopes to have Shami back for the last three Tests, leveraging his impressive track record at home.

While the initial plan was to announce the squad for the first two Tests against England, it is currently on hold. Instead, the selectors are expected to announce the squad later this week. The selection focus will center on decisions regarding Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both currently out of the Test side. Pujara's notable double century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 has strengthened his case for consideration.

Additionally, Ruturaj Gaikwad is likely to miss the first two Tests. Shreyas Iyer, despite a challenging series in South Africa, is expected to retain his place. With Shami's likely absence, the selectors must decide on his replacement, with names like Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, or even Umesh Yadav under consideration.