Mayank Yadav named Mohammed Shami's replacement for BGT 2024-25

Legendary Australia National Cricket Team pacer Brett Lee has named the youngster Mayank Yadav as the replacement for Mohammed Shami for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

After the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, Rohit Sharma-led Team India will travel to Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will begin on November 22.

Mohammed Shami Doubtful For Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Mohammed Shami has been out of action since the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. He had suffered an Achilles tendon injury for which he underwent surgery. After a successful surgery, Mohammed Shami began his rehabilitation program and it looked like he would recover quickly.

However, he suffered a fresh knee setback that ruined all his comeback plans. Rohit Sharma had revealed that Mohammed Shami suffered a swollen knee and would need more time to return.

According to the latest reports, he is ruled out of the first half of the BGT but will return to the Indian team for the second half of the five-match Test series.

Get Mayank Yadav in the squad: Brett Lee

Speaking to Fox Cricket, Brett Lee came up with a massive suggestion for India to deal with the absence of Mohammed Shami. He told the Indian selectors to include Mayank Yadav in the squad for the matches against Australia as he would do well down under.

He opined that the express pacer would trouble Australian batters and could emerge as a big threat to the opposition.

“I can tell you that batters are okay when you bowl that 135-140 kmph speed, but when you bowl high 150s, I don’t care who it is, no one wants to face that.

“He looks like someone who is a complete package, if Mohammed Shami is not ready, at least get him (Mayank) in the squad. I think he would do pretty well on these Australian wickets,” Lee told Fox Cricket.

“The great thing is with me that I get to work on the IPL and see a lot of good young Indian cricketers. Mayank Yadav, to watch his first IPL game recently, hit 157 kmph first up in his first game.

“Unfortunately, his franchise probably brought him a little early and he did his side again. They put him in cotton wool for a bit. The great thing about India is that they are not worried about how much cricket someone has played or hasn’t played, if he is ready to go, get him in there. I actually love that theory,” Lee added.

But you need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win - Brett Lee

Brett Lee further stated that the performance of the pace trio of India - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami/Mayank Yadav - will be key to India's success down under. He said:

“Ashwin is approaching 600 wickets, he has got that beautiful shape when he bowls spin. He can bowl with the new ball as well but I think if India have to win there, then Shami (provided he is fit) can definitely hold the key."

"Jasprit Bumrah, we all know how good he is, he can bowl both ways, he is a great exponent of reverse swing. Mohammed Siraj knows how to make the new ball talk.

“On wickets like Perth, Adelaide, for me it’s the combination, these three fast bowlers with Ashwin as the spinner. Then they have got options with guys like who are part-time spinners. But you need to have those three quicks firing if India wants to win,” Lee said.