Why Mohammed Shami hasn’t been selected in India’s squad for first Test against Bangladesh?

Mohammed Shami. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

With the first Test against Bangladesh scheduled to commence on September 19, 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released a 16-member squad on September 8. Although there were quite a few regulars in the squad as well as the likes of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul returning to the mix after a while. The left-arm pacer, Yash Dayal received a maiden call-up, what was quite intriguing to netizens and supporters was the exclusion of right-arm pacer, Mohammed Shami.

He was ruled out of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League as well as the T20 World Cup 2024 due to suffering a tear to the Achilles tendon, which resulted in him completing his surgery in the last week of February, there were preliminary speculations regarding when Shami would make his way back to any form of competitive cricket.

As and when time progressed with the pacer gradually recovering from his injury which he would constantly provide via his social media handles, widespread reports were suggesting that Shami would not be re-introduced back in the fold through the medium of the Bangladesh Tests. Instead, he would be eased into cricket with the BCCI directing him to feature in the first Ranji Trophy game of Bengal’s campaign, slated for October 11.

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A few weeks ago, the chief selector of the BCCI, Ajit Agarkar, had alluded to Shami being considered for a potential return in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. In all probability, he would have made the statement because Shami had started bowling in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru since the last week of July.

The selectors’ main agenda is to unleash the most lethal form of Shami, in full physical and mental capacity, for when India tours Australia for a five-match Test series later this year. This is surmised to be one of the main reasons for not including Shami in the 16-member squad, let alone the XI, to let him focus on his road to optimal recovery.

The veteran pacer last played any form of international cricket in 2023 during the 50-over World Cup. He emerged as the leading wicket-taker, scalping 24 wickets in seven matches at an outstanding average of 10.70.