Rohit Sharma doesn't want to bring an 'undercooked' Mohammed Shami to Australia

Ahead of the start of the India vs New Zealand Test series, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma provided an update on the availability of Mohammed Shami. Mohammed Shami has been absent from the scene since the 2023 ODI World Cup final match against Australia in November 2023. The pacer picked up an ankle injury during the clash that shattered India’s World Cup dreams. The injury flared up to a point where Shami had to opt for surgery on his right Achilles earlier in February this year. The injury and the subsequent recovery kept Shami unavailable throughout the 2024 season, which included the India vs England series and the recent home series against Bangladesh.

Mohammed Shami Unlikely to Play in the Border Gavaskar Trophy: Rohit Sharma

Recently, Shami’s return was anticipated in the India vs New Zealand home Test series. Moreover, earlier reports had suggested that the seasoned bowler would play for Bengal in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season in order to regain his rhythm before playing for India. However, those reports were dashed when India announced the squad for the home Tests against New Zealand. Shami’s name was still nowhere to be seen as Akash Deep remained in the India squad. Now, as India gears up for the first Test at Chinnaswamy, Rohit Sharma talked about the condition of Mohammed Shami and his possible return to the team.

The Indian captain informed that while Shami has tackled the ankle injury, it’s the pacer’s knee that is acting up this time. Shami’s knee has developed swelling that has pushed his recovery further. Moreover, Sharma revealed that India is not planning on rushing Shami’s inclusion at this point. With the seamer still in recovery, India is not counting on Shami to play in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which is scheduled in Australia later this year.

"Right now, it is pretty difficult for us to make a call on whether he will be fit for this series or the Australia series," Rohit said on the eve of India's first Test against New Zealand. "He recently had a setback - he had swelling on his knee, which was quite unusual. He was in the process of getting fit - getting close to 100% - and he had swelling in his knee. That put him back a little bit in his recovery, so he had to start fresh,” Sharma added.

India has been playing with Akash Deep right from the start of 2024 following Shami’s unavailability due to injury. With ample time to mark his recovery from the Achilles surgery, the pacer’s return was expected in the India vs. Bangladesh home Test series. However, India called up Yash Dayal to the squad and played Akash Deep in the two Tests as Shami continued his absence. Subsequently, India won the series 2-0 against Bangladesh, and discussions shifted to the home Test series against New Zealand. However, Shami once again didn’t make it to the India squad.

Now, with Rohit Sharma revealing a new issue regarding Shami’s recovery, India is expected to be without the services of Shami for this year. The skipper informed that Shami is in the NCA and working with the physios and doctors to ensure a speedy return to 100% fitness. However, India is not banking on Shami for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, as they can’t take an ‘undercooked’ pacer for the all-important five-match Test series.

"Right now, he is at NCA - he is working with the physios and the doctors at NCA," Rohit said. "We are keeping our fingers crossed. We want him to be fit; we want him to be 100%. More than anything else, we don't want to bring an undercooked Shami to Australia. That is not going to be the right decision for us,” he added.

Furthermore, Rohit Sharma also opined that even if Shami is deemed fit to play, he will take some time to ease back into the game. The pacer has been out of any cricketing action for almost a year now. Shami last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he concluded the tournament as India’s highest wicket-taker, scalping 24 wickets across seven matches. The top performer, however, later revealed that he was taking injections during the marquee event to subside the pain in his ankle.

"He has not played any cricket for over a year. It is quite tough for a fast bowler to have missed so much cricket and then suddenly come out and be at his best," Rohit said. "It is not ideal. We will want to give him enough time to recover and be 100% fit.

"The physios, trainers, and doctors have set a roadmap for him. He is supposed to play a couple of games before he plays international cricket. We will see where he is after this New Zealand series and then take a call on what stage of the Australia series he will be fit for us,” he explained further.

India is currently leading the WTC standings and is likely to qualify for the WTC Finals for a third consecutive time. The team, if it manages to claim a 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand in the upcoming series, can cement its spot in the 2025 WTC Final. With the qualification in their pocket, India will head to Australia with the sole purpose of claiming a hat-trick of victories at the Kangaroos’ den.