India vs England 2021: Mohammed Shami Deemed Fit For Manchester Test; Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara Being Monitored By Medical Team
Updated - 08 Sep 2021, 10:20 PM
Mohammed Shami has been adjudged fit for the fifth Test against England to be played at Old Trafford after he and Ishant Sharma missed the fourth Test due to niggles. India currently lead the series 2-1 following a surreal comeback win at The Oval. The last Test of the series, in Manchester will start on 10th September.
“Mohammed Shami is fit. And when Shami is fit, he is an automatic choice,” a senior BCCI official in the know of developments told PTI.
Mohammed Shami, who scored a fifty at Lord’s at a critical juncture, was part of the team’s training session on Wednesday, two days before the final Test. Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur, who came in for Shami and Ishant Sharma, contributed heavily towards India’s victory.
To slot in fit-again Mohammed Shami straight in the eleven, the management may decide to rest Jasprit Bumrah, who has bowled 151 overs in the four Tests while picking up 18 wickets. With the IPL and the T20 World Cup coming up for the next three months, resting Bumrah could be a wise decision, but a bold one.
Medical team assessing injuries of Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara
There is now significant news about the injuries of Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara other than that they are both under the constant monitor of the medical team. Rohit Sharma, Player of the Match at The Oval for his maiden overseas ton, suffered a knee injury, while Pujara twisted his ankle while taking a run.
Both the batsmen didn’t take the field on Day 5. It’s reported that Sharma’s chances of recovering in time for the fifth Test are bright. The final decision will be taken by the medical team ahead of the game though.
If either or both of Sharma and Pujara are unfit for the game, India needn’t fret much for their replacement. Mayank Agarwal, who suffered a concussion ahead of the first Test, would be the likely choice for the opener’s role, ahead of Abhimanyu Easwaran and Prithvi Shaw.
For Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, who hasn’t played a Test since his epic rearguard in Sydney, is the likely batsman to come in. Suryakumar Yadav is also available in case India decide to drop the struggling Ajinkya Rahane as well.
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India vs England 2021 Mohammed Shami Rohit Sharma