Mohemmed Shami, India’s Ace Pacer is currently struggling to get a place in the Indian squad. He is being denied this opportunity not because of his performance but due to his health conditions. Cricbuzz has learned that Mohammed Shami is not yet fully recovered from the Covid infection that kept him out of the recent India-Australia T20 series.
It is also possible that Shami will not participate in the three T20I series against South Africa that begins Wednesday (September 28). In addition, Deepak Hooda, who is currently suffering from a back injury and was not available for Sunday’s contest in Hyderabad, may also miss his spot in the Playing 11.
Mohammed Shami Is Not Medically Fit: Reports
The Indian team arrived in Thiruvananthapuram, the venue of their first game on Monday, without Shami. Umesh Yadav, who was announced as a replacement for Shami, was present, indicating that he will be a part of the three-match series. The South African squad has been in Kerala since Sunday. It is not clear whether Shami will be able to accompany the Indian squad to Australia for the World Cup yet.
A source familiar with the situation said that “There is no medical update about the time that will take for him to be fully fit but currently it does not look good,”. Shami is one of four standbys for the World Cup. Shami has not played a T20I since the last World Cup in UAE. He last played for his country in July, an away ODI against England.
Deepak Hooda’s Unavailability Might Create An Opening For Shreyash Iyer
Hooda, meanwhile, has injured his back and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has said he was not available for selection for the third T20I against Australia in Hyderabad on Sunday. The BCCI statement on Sunday read: “Deepak Hooda wasn’t available for selection for this game owing to a back injury.”
It has now turned out that Hooda’s injury could be needing attention of the medical staff at the National Cricket Academy. He has also not travelled to Thiruvananthapuram and Shreyas Iyer, who was announced as a standby for the series, could come in as Hooda’s replacement.
There is, however, no immediate information if there will be changes to the World Cup squad. The indication at this stage is that all the selected players will be able to travel. The Indian team will leave for Australia on October 6 after the South Africa series ends in Indore on October 4. The World Cup starts on October 16 but India’s first game is on October 23.
India squad for South Africa T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and Shreyas Iyer (likely)