India’s cricket fans continue to wait for the return of star pacer Mohammed Shami, who remains absent from the Indian Test squad ahead of their crucial home series against New Zealand. Shami, missing in action since the Men’s ODI World Cup final in November 2023, is still recovering from an injury, leaving a significant gap in India’s pace attack as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against Australia looms later this year.
Mohammed Shami Absence: Worrying Sign for Team India?
Mohammed Shami’s absence from the squad raises concerns as India gears up for a challenging period in Test cricket. The experienced fast bowler, who last played for India in the World Cup final against Australia, has been sidelined due to injury. His recovery seems to be taking longer than expected, leaving India to rely on other pacers for the upcoming series.
Shami’s presence in the bowling line-up has always provided India with an edge in Test cricket, especially in challenging conditions. His ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver consistently in long spells has been a key factor in India’s success in the red-ball format.
His absence could be felt even more as India prepares for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later in the year, a series that will demand the best from the fast-bowling unit.
Jasprit Bumrah steps up as Vice-Captain
With Shami still recovering, Jasprit Bumrah has been named vice-captain for the New Zealand series. Bumrah, who has shouldered the burden of leading India’s pace attack in the past, will play an even more critical role in Shami’s absence. Bumrah’s leadership skills were highlighted when he led India during the one-off Test against England in 2022, and now he steps up again, this time as Rohit Sharma’s deputy.
Bumrah will need to be at his best as India’s spearhead, particularly as the team prepares for the gruelling Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, where Shami’s potential absence could be a significant disadvantage.
India squad for New Zealand retains Core Group
India has largely retained the squad that secured a comfortable Test series win over Bangladesh. Apart from Shami, the line-up remains largely unchanged, featuring key players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. The selectors have also retained Akash Deep and Mohammad Siraj, providing India with reliable pace options in the absence of Shami.
Despite missing Yash Dayal, the left-arm pacer who was a part of the squad for the Bangladesh series, India will have three fast bowlers in the reserves: Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna, with all-rounder Nitish Reddy also in the mix.
Eyes on Mohammed Shami return for Australia Series
While India will head into the New Zealand series with a strong squad, all eyes remain on Mohammed Shami’s fitness. His availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) is crucial as India faces a demanding series against a top-quality Australian side. Fans and selectors alike will hope that Shami can recover in time to bolster India’s chances in the key series, where his experience and skill could be the difference between success and failure.
The Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16 in Bengaluru, will be an important test for India, but the question remains: can the team manage without Mohammed Shami for much longer?
