Recently hired India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar spoke to the media in Mumbai. Among the subjects they covered were the rehabilitation of star pacer Mohammed Shami and the possibility of new fast bowlers making their Test debuts.
The ODI World Cup 2023 has kept Shami, a vital member of India’s bowling attack, out of the game with an ankle injury that necessitated surgery. Particularly during the South Africa tour and the home five-match Test series against England earlier in the year, his absence was much regretted. However, the pacer has begun to practise his bowling in the nets in order to get ready to rejoin the national team.
Shami’s contribution to the team was demonstrated by his outstanding performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, where he finished as the tournament’s top wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven matches. The selection gave a progress report on Shami’s recuperation.
“We believe the guys will recover from their injuries; we are generally aware of who they are. The fact that Shami has begun to bowl is encouraging. The first Test (against Bangladesh) is on September 19, and that was always the plan. He said in the news conference, “I’ll have to ask the folks at the NCA about that; I’m not sure if that is his recuperation timeframe.
It will require some depth: Ajit Agarkar
The Mumbai native also mentioned the breadth of India’s fast-bowling capabilities. Additionally, according to Agarkar, there may be some new players who are putting up strong performances in first-class cricket.
“There will be a tonne of tests soon. We’ll require some depth. The most well-known ones are Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj; they have been around for a while. However, there will be some discussion about it. We have a tonne of first-class cricket matches coming up, so we can develop individuals in that way,” he continued.
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Beginning on July 27, the squad will go on a three-T20I and three-ODI tour of Sri Lanka under the direction of their recently hired head coach. India will next play a home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand before travelling to Australia later in the year for a five-match Test series.
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