Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar Gives Update on Mohammed Shami's Fitness

During a recent press conference in Mumbai, newly appointed India head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed several key topics, notably focusing on the recovery of star pacer Mohammed Shami and the potential debut of new fast bowlers in Test cricket. Mohammed Shami, a linchpin in India's bowling arsenal, has been out of action since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury that necessitated surgical intervention. His absence was sorely felt during India's recent tours to South Africa and the five-match Test series against England on home soil earlier this year. However, there is optimism as Shami has resumed bowling in the nets and is actively preparing for his comeback to the national team.

Shami's stellar performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup underscores his significance to the team's success, where he emerged as the tournament's top wicket-taker with an impressive haul of 24 wickets in just seven matches. His ability to swing the ball and deliver crucial breakthroughs has been pivotal in India's bowling strategy across formats.

Providing an update on Shami's recovery, chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressed confidence in the progress being made and hinted at Shami's potential return to competitive cricket in the near future. Gambhir and Agarkar also discussed the exciting prospect of introducing new fast bowlers into the Test arena, highlighting India's depth in pace bowling talent and their readiness to embrace opportunities at the highest level of the game.

"We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment and hope they will be back up. Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test (against Bangladesh) and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that," chief selector Ajit Agarkar said in the presser.

During the Mumbai press conference, Ajit Agarkar, the Mumbai-born chief selector, emphasized India's burgeoning depth in fast-bowling talent. He highlighted the emergence of promising new faces who have been consistently delivering strong performances in first-class cricket. This recognition underscores India's commitment to nurturing and integrating fresh talent into their formidable bowling lineup, aiming to maintain a robust pace attack across formats.

Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team is gearing up for a packed schedule of international fixtures. Their immediate focus turns to Sri Lanka, where they are scheduled to play three T20Is followed by three ODIs starting from July 27. This series marks an important phase for India as they aim to fine-tune their strategies and player combinations ahead of upcoming challenges.

Following the Sri Lanka tour, India's home season includes series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, further providing opportunities for players to stake their claims in the national setup across formats. The culmination of the year sees India embarking on a significant tour to Australia for a grueling five-match Test series, where their depth in fast bowling will be crucial in adapting to the challenging conditions Down Under.

“There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first-class cricket coming up so we can build guys up like that,” Agarkar added.