Mohammed Shami's Career In Jeopardy? Pacer No Longer In India's White-Ball Plans: Reports
India's Mohammed Shami [Ap photos]
India's leading wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup 2023, Mohammed Shami, is facing a potential setback as reports emerge of the star pacer battling an ankle condition.
The news comes in the wake of his stellar performance in the recently concluded ODI World Cup, where Shami emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 24 scalps in just seven games.
According to sources from PTI, Shami is currently seeking medical attention for his ankle condition in Mumbai, casting doubts over his participation in the upcoming white-ball formats. The Amroha-born speedster, has been named in India's 16-member squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa starting on December 26 in Centurion.
The PTI report suggests that Shami is expected to abstain from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is) in the near future, with a primary focus on prolonging his Test career.
Here's what the report claimed
"It is learnt for the time being, Shami won't play white ball games as there are seven Test matches, including five against England at home and the 'Amroha Express' is expected to play a big role in the sub-continental conditions where the ball reverses a lot."
"Whether Shami will play next year's T20 World Cup will depend on how he fares in the Indian Premier League, where he has had two good seasons for the Gujarat Titans."
Earlier this week, despite the uncertainties surrounding his fitness, Shami was included in India's squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa. The BCCI official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the national selectors wouldn't have picked Shami if there wasn't optimism about his fitness for the Boxing Day Test.
The 32-year-old fast bowler, who didn't feature in the initial matches of the ODI World Cup due to team composition requirements, made a stunning impact when he got his chance. His 24 wickets played a pivotal role in India's dominance in the tournament, guiding them through ten consecutive victories before eventually losing in the final to Australia.
Despite his current ankle condition, the national selectors seem optimistic about Shami's recovery before the South Africa Tests, considering his pivotal role in the team's success.
 "Rajgeeta")
