Ex-cricketer points to 'knee swelling' issue amid Mohammed Shami-Rohit Sharma fight rumors

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra reckons that fast bowler Mohammed Shami is not in India's scheme of things for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Chopra cited the statement of Rohit Sharma to prove his point.

After the Adelaide Test against Australia recently, Rohit was asked by the reporters whether Shami could still make a comeback in the ongoing Test series. Rohit didn't rule out a possible comeback but made it clear that the team won't take a risk by rushing him in quickly.

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Aakash Chopra speaks on Mohammed Shami's comeback

While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra also spoke about Rohit Sharma's comments on Mohammed Shami's possible comeback. While Rohit's comments were looked at in a positive way, Chopra claimed that it might be a signal that Shami might not play the series as the team doesn't want to risk rushing him.

"Mohammed Shami has played a lot of cricket. Of course, he started playing cricket after a year. So there was a lot of skepticism about whether he would be fit or not and that he shouldn't get injured again. However, he has been playing thus far and he has looked quite okay," Chopra said.

"However, when you asked Rohit Sharma the same question, he said - 'the door is open but we don't want to rush him in.' That's a very mixed kind of signal about whether he is going to come or not."

"Things are pointing in the direction that he is not going to come. If you are reluctant to send, maybe he is not in your scheme of things. This is a slightly sad story, but this is the story," he added.

Indian team management does not consider Mohammed Shami ready: Aakash Chopra

Chopra further explained the reason behind Shami's extended ouster from the team. He reckons that the Indian team management does not consider the fast bowler fit enough to be back in the team yet.

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"I feel the Indian management, which includes the captain, coach and selectors, thinks that Mohammed Shami is not ready, that whatever they have seen is not good enough. Rohit Sharma actually said two times that he had a swelling in his leg. One was after the practice session, and then another swelling when he was playing a match," Chopra reckoned.

There were reports that Shami could be in India's squad for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, the reports are not confirmed yet. In his absence, India are playing with an inexperienced bowling attack with Bumrah and Siraj the only pacers to have played a significant amount of Tests.

Why was Mohammed Shami's return delayed?

Shami wasn't included in India's 18-member squad for the ongoing Test series against Australia as he continued his recovery from a surgery that he had undergone earlier this year. The veteran fast bowler was close to being selected but suffered swelling in his knee during the rehabilitation.

When he became fit, Shami played the Ranji Trophy games for his state Bengal, and then the subsequent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well to prove his fitness. He has looked fine so far but the team management is believed to be carefully managing him before bringing him back into the mix.

He was expected to be available for the last two Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, his return hasn't been finalized yet.