Mohd Shami’s comeback will be decided by the BCCI, not social media

The heated debate over Mohammed Shami performing well in domestic cricket and not being flown to Australia for the BGT Series in Australia has generated enormous heat. It has been made out to be almost a duel between skipper Rohit Sharma and Shami, the master of swing. It is well known, since the time Shami got injured during the ICC World Cup (ODI format) in 2023, he underwent a surgery and was on rehab. He was monitored closely and is still being tracked by the experts of the NCA who look after a cricketer’s injury and recovery.

After the defeat to Australia in the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide, it has become a free-for-all. Calls to sack the skipper and Virat Kohli have reached a feverish pitch. At the same time, barring Jasprit Bumrah, the rest of the fast bowlers have been shredded. And the best part, experts and fans who want Shami to fly out are not doctors or physios to provide the best update.

Sadly, anything sells in cricket news, fact as well as fiction. Shami has played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy as well as the T20 domestic tournament now in progress. Shami has been hyped as some kind of a messiah. Even former West Indian greats like Andy Roberts have jumped into fray, pleading, Shami should be in Australia. Perhaps, people are forgetting, chairman of selection committee Ajit Agarkar, himself a former India fast bowler, knows what India needs at this time. He is travelling with the team Down Under.

Yes, Shami is the master of swing but is he fully fit or not is a BCCI decision. How can a case be made out as if all the other fast bowlers now in Australia, barring Jasprit Bumrah, are a waste! Mohd Siraj, Akash Deep and Harshit Rana, they were chosen by the BCCI for the full tour. So was Nitish Reddy, who is now developing into an all-rounder. No, there are ‘super selectors’ who have pronounced Shami is the messiah, he will cure all ills. Yes, Shami has been a match-winner in the past but to assess him is the job of experts. The Test series is indeed gruelling and based on performances in a T20 match to proclaim Shami must fly out is absurd. There will be enormous load and experts can deal with it best.

The problem is, today anything passes as news and authentic where social media becomes a judge. Former cricketers, too, add fuel to fire. Just not needed, stoking a controversy further. Add to it, Rohit Sharma’s observation Shami had a swelling on his knee, it has been blown out of proportion. Is this to suggest Rohit does not like Shami or fake news can be peddled without any inhibition. Way back in 2022, when Jasprit Bumrah has injured his back, he was on treatment. His comeback was rushed and he again collapsed. It is only after he again went into rehab and strength and conditioning, he returned so smoothly.

Shami cannot be rushed back into Test cricket without full fitness. If he does fly out, he will have to bowl long spells and then checked if he can handle the load. That would be the best way ahead, assuming he is so important for India. At the same time, Shami being pushed ahead is also a negative sign as if the other fast bowlers chosen for the BGT Series are not worth it. That will hurt them, for the way Harshit Rana has been labelled as a Gautam Gambhir crony, ex KKR plus Delhi player is downright cheap. Today, athletes know how to handle criticism, especially when it is based on performance or the lack of it.

There will be more news coming on Shami, which will also impact the fantastic swing bowler he is. To have bounced back is good and also be picked in the IPL auction by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 10 crores. There are many stories in Indian cricket of misery for fast bowlers. Do not add to it by playing out rivalries which do not even exist. Spare Shami and Rohit.