Premier pacer Mohammed Shami has been picked in India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa but the BCCI has stated that he “is currently undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to fitness.” The cricket board didn’t disclose the information regarding the injury or the medical treatment he is currently undergoing. Meanwhile, a report on news agency PTI has suggested that Shami has developed an ankle condition, however, there is no specific information about the injury or how he got it.
The report stated that Shami consulted a sports orthopaedic to diagnose his ankle condition in Mumbai.
“It is not exactly an on-field injury. It is an ankle condition that has developed. Shami came to Mumbai to consult the doctors. He will also go to NCA for rehab and recuperation work.
“The national selectors wouldn’t have selected him had there not been a chance of him getting fit in time for the Boxing Day Test,” a BCCI source, privy to the development, told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Meanwhile, India will hope that he regains fitness in time for the first Test against South Africa.
Shami was the star performer in the recently concluded ODI World Cup where he picked 24 wickets in seven games. He failed to make it to the XI in the first four matches but later when Hardik Pandya got injured he got the chance to play against New Zealand in the league stage and he made an instant impact with a five-fer.
He was one of the biggest reasons behind India’s sustained dominance for 10 straight games in the showpiece before losing the final to Australia.
“Shami, in fact, came to watch one of Bengal’s Vijay Hazare Trophy games as his younger brother Mohammed Kaif is also playing. He seemed to be walking with a slight limp,” a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) source said.
It will be interesting to note whether Shami would play the three-day intra-squad match between India Seniors and India A squads, which is a tune-up for the Tests.
It is also learnt for the time being, Shami won’t play white ball games as there are seven Test matches, including five against England at home and the ‘Amroha Express’ is expected to play a big role in the sub-continental conditions where the ball reverses a lot.
Whether Shami will play next year’s T20 World Cup will depend on how he fares in the Indian Premier League, where he has had two good seasons for the Gujarat Titans.
Easwaran to play 1st A Test
It was also learnt that Abhimanyu Easwaran has sustained four stitches on his right hand during a Vijay Hazare Trophy game but he will be fit to play the first four-day ‘Test’ between India A and South Africa A between December 11-14.
“Abhimanyu sustained a cut between third and fourth finger. He had stitches and was advised a week’s rest. Hence by December 6, he should be good to go and if A ‘Test’ is on December 11, there is every chance he will play,” a CAB source informed.
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