Mohammed Shami all but confirmed to play Adelaide Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

In a great news for Team India, fast bowler Mohammed Shami can still be a part of India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Shami was earlier ruled out of the series as he failed to be fit at the time of squad selection.

Mohammed Shami is currently playing his first professional match in almost a year. He is playing in Bengal's Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh where he finished with impressive figures of 4-54 in the first innings.

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Mohammed Shami is in line to be selected for BGT 2024-25

According to PTI, Mohammed Shami has a good chance to play in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 despite being left out of the original squad. The reports claim that if Shami goes through any injury concerns during Madhya Pradesh's 2nd innings, he could board the flight to Australia.

However, he is unlikely to be a part of the Perth Test and could instead play the second Test in Adelaide, which will also be the only day-night Test of the series.

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If Mohammed Shami goes without any fitness hiccup during MP 2nd Innings and if there is no post-match swelling or pain, there is more than a good chance he will be boarding the flight to Australia. Might not be Perth bound but could certainly be Adelaide…

— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) November 14, 2024

While Shami is in line to play the series, he is required to bowl 18-20 overs and needs to remain in the field for a specific amount of time as well. He bowled 19 overs in the first innings, the most by any bowler in Bengal's bowling line-up.

The medical team of National Cricket Academy (NCA) is keeping a close eye on him. NCA head Nitin Patel and the selector Ajay Ratra will further pass on the information regarding his fitness.

India's inexperienced bowling attack for BGT 2024-25

Mohammed Shami's absence has led to an inexperienced bowling attack for India in the series. Only Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have the previous experience of playing Tests in Australia.

The other three quicks in the squad are Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna. Akash Deep has been impressive with his start in Test cricket while Krishna was brilliant recently durinh the unpfficial Test series against Australia A.

Before the ongoing Ranji Trophy match against Bengal, Shami's last professional match was during the ODI World Cup 2023 final against Australia.

Tough year for Mohammed Shami

Since then, the veteran fast bowler has seen a lot of tough moments which has hampered his cricket career. He went through an Achilles heal surgery earlier this year. As a result, he missed the IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024 as well.

Shami was earlier slated to be back for the start of India's home Test season. But he could not be fit on time. He was again in contention for the Test series against New Zealand but suffered swelling, which further derailed his comeback.