New Delhi, November 12 (IANS). Ahead of the much-awaited five-match Test series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting in Perth from November 22, former South African cricketer Paul Adams expressed confidence that the absence of fast bowler Mohammed Shami will affect the pace on the fast and bouncy Australian pitches. This will be a big blow to India’s prospects.
Adams, who acknowledged Shami’s ability to make an impact in all conditions, told IANS in a virtual interaction organized by SA20, “I think he (Mohammed Shami) will be a great batsman for India considering the conditions against Australia. There will be a big miss. Fast and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India get the lead if Shami was in the team, but it is not in the hands of the selectors as he is recovering, but I think his absence Will miss.”
Shami’s contribution to India’s maiden Test series win in Australia during the 2018/19 tour has been well documented. Over the course of four matches, he took 16 wickets at an average of 26.18, showing his skill in extracting bounce and seam movement.
Although injuries have hampered his career at crucial moments, Shami remains one of India’s most formidable fast bowlers. His absence from the 2020/21 tour due to a fracture in his right forearm was felt, although India won 2–1.
Adams pointed out that Shami’s absence puts additional pressure on Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah and the rest of the fast bowlers. He said, “We all saw what he did in the 2023 ODI World Cup, he single-handedly led the Indian fast bowling attack and he is a player who has the ability to take wickets on any pitch around the world, regardless of the conditions. The condition and length of the seam is exceptional. The pressure will be on vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah and other fast bowlers, but I believe the all-rounders will play a big role for India, especially Ravindra Jadeja.”
Shami, who has taken 229 wickets in 64 Test matches, last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad in November 2023. Despite not featuring in India’s opening matches, he emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 24 wickets at an impressive average of 10.70.
Shami has been out of action for over a year due to an Achilles tendon injury, which required surgery in London in February 2024. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, and is focusing on gradually returning to bowling.
Shami is set to make his competitive comeback for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore. This opportunity will give him a chance to gain match fitness and test his form. However, despite his recovery, the BCCI took a cautious approach by not including Shami in the five-Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
–IANS
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