Reports: Place for Mohammed Shami in India’s BGT squad still a possibility

Reports: Place for Mohammed Shami in India’s BGT squad still a possibility. (Photo source: BCCI)

Pacer Mohammed Shami started bowling at full tilt after India’s first Test loss against New Zealand in Bengaluru last week. However, he wasn’t named in India’s squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Bengal pacer, however, has a chance to make a late entry into the side if he can prove his fitness during the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season.

When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which commences on November 22, fans and experts were surprised to see Shami missing out as five Indian pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana made the cut. Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was also handed a maiden Test call-up.

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Shami made his last India appearance during the ODI World Cup 2023, where he finished as the highest wicket-taker. He suffered an ankle injury, which saw him missing important events, including the T20 World Cup in June. The 34-year-old also underwent Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year and is now in the final stages of his journey towards attaining full fitness as he has been training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.

According to the The Indian Express, Shami could still be added to India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad on one condition.

“A call on Mohammed Shami’s inclusion will be taken after the pacer proves his fitness in the Ranji Trophy. As reported earlier, Shami is expected to play Bengal’s fourth round match against Karnataka in Bengaluru in the first week of November after Diwali,” the report claimed.

Meanwhile, India have also named three pacers – Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, and Navdeep Saini as travelling reserves for the marquee tour.

Abhimanyu Easwaran likely to make international debut in Perth or Adelaide

Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran has been recalled to the Indian squad and is likely to make his debut in either the first or the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India captain Rohit Sharma will miss one of these two Tests due to personal reasons.

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The first Test begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Meanwhile, the second Test gets underway on December 6 in Adelaide. Easwaran has scored centuries in his last four domestic red-ball matches across three tournaments. The right-handed batter has waited for a very long time to make his debut after leading India A on several tours. He boasts an excellent average of 49.92 in First-Class cricket and will be eager to prove his mettle Down Under.