While Mohammed Shami would be missed in the SA Tests, Prasidh and Mukesh will have a fantastic opportunity: Wasim Jaffer

Due to an ankle injury, Mohammed Shami, the star of India’s ODI World Cup, will not play in the forthcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer stated that while the Rohit Sharma-led team will miss the services of the elite bowler, it’s a fantastic chance for players like Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar to establish themselves in the playing XI.

Shardul Thakur will most likely be the third seamer in the meantime, joining Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. But given that Prasidh or Mukesh are India’s pace unit’s future, Jaffer thinks the team management would choose to move forward with them.

While Prasidh and Mukesh have a fantastic chance to demonstrate that they are the fast bowlers of the future for India, Mohammed Shami will be sorely missed in the SA Tests.

There is no better spot in the world to bowl than South Africa. Jaffer posted on X (previously known as Twitter): “Who are you picking as the third seamer between these two?”

Shami will be missed big time in SA Tests, but it’s a great opportunity for Prasidh & Mukesh to show that they’re the future of Indian fast bowling. Can’t ask for a better place to bowl than South Africa. Who are you picking as the third seamer between these two? #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/7yCgrGDgrY

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 25, 2023

Senior cricket players will soon return.

Following their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the ODI World Cup final in India, players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah took a break from cricket. Now, all four cricket players are expected to return, playing in the opening Test match in Centurion against the Proteas.

Notably, former captain Virat Kohli left the country earlier this week and arrived back on Sunday, December 24. He joined the team for practice right away, and he’ll be a vital component of India’s forthcoming series. Under his direction, the squad lost the Test series in 2022, and he abruptly stated that he was leaving his position as red-ball captain. Given that India has never before won a Test series in South Africa, he has a point to make this time around.