Mohammed Shami’s injury is a cause for concern for the team management ahead of India journey to South Africa.
The star bowler sustained an ankle injury during the recently concluded ODI World Cup, but he still made a lasting impression, taking the most wickets overall. The 33-year-old has been extensively examined; therefore, he hasn’t been cleared to return for the next tour of South Africa.
Shami has only been included in the Test team, so it makes sense that he has been rested for the three-match T20I and ODI series that precede the white-ball series. Along with that, he is a member of the team that will take on a three-day warm-up match in Centurion prior to the first Test on Boxing Day, December 26.
On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav’s T20I team will depart for South Africa early on Wednesday, December 6. The first Twenty20 International, scheduled for December 10, will see head coach Rahul Dravid and his support personnel travel with the team. The Indian cricket players are reportedly scheduled to travel to South Africa from Bengaluru via Dubai.
Prasidh Krishna is expected to combine with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah if Shami is unable to play in the red-ball set. The Rohit Sharma-led team is probably going to use four pacers in addition to Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin; therefore, Shardul Thakur is still a fourth pace option. Additionally, Mukesh Kumar is traveling with the Test team; it would be intriguing if he plays throughout the series.
The 30-year-old pacer has only played one Test match thus far, but he has a stellar record in the local circuit. As a result, he has been called up several times. Earlier in the year, he took two wickets in a match against the West Indies. It will be interesting to watch how the team management deploys him during the two-match series as Ashwin recently dubbed him the future Shami of Indian cricket.
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