Mohammed Shami For T20 World Cup
Mohammed Shami’s sudden exclusion from the Indian side after the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 campaign is not digestible for many, but according to some media reports, BCCI is looking to include Shami in the squad for home series against Australia and South Africa next month as part of ICC T20 World Cup preparation.
The speedster last played a T20I match for his country against Namibia last year, and he wasn’t considered to be include in the Indian side since then for the shortest format of the game.
The 31-year-old, who so far has been featured in 17 T20Is games for India, was reportedly informed by the selecting members that are not considering him for T20Is in the future.
However, with star bowler Jasprit Bumrah and middle-death over specialist Harshal Patel not available due to injuries, selectors are looking to bring back Shami to lead the fast bowling department in the upcoming T20 series against Australia and South Africa, and for the T20 World Cup too, if they won’t recover till then.
“See, Shami isn’t getting any younger and that is why we have to manage his workload too. That is the reason he was informed about T20s (Not selecting). But if we have two premier pacers injured, we have to fall back on someone reliable in Australia. Shami understands the conditions better than anybody and could be a great asset. Final call on him will be taken only at a later stage,” a member of the selection committee told InsideSport.
“It’s too early to panic. Bumrah and Harshal are both under the medical team’s observation. We have a great pace bowling line-up. As for Shami, there is no doubt that he could be useful in Australia, but we have to manage his workload too. If the team management believes he will be required, we will take a call on that later. For now, there is nothing to worry about,” the selection committee member added.
India will play a 3-match T20I series against Australia from September 20 to 25, while they will lock horns with South Africa from September 28 to October 4. While the Indian side will also play a 3-match ODI series just after the T20 games, the second stint Indian side will play the one-day internationals with Shikhar Dhawan likely to be the captain of the side.
The ICC T20 World Cup will begin on October 16 and will be played in Australia. While India will play their first match of the tournament against Pakistan on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
