Mohammed Shami, Mayank Yadav to play BGT 2024-25 together? Jay Shah drops colossal update on pacers' fitness

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah revealed the fitness status of fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav during a recent conversation. The fast bowlers can be useful in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India.

Both Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav are important bowlers for India in the upcoming international matches, although, both are at the opposite ends of their respective careers. While Mayank Yadav is just at the beginning of his career, Mohammed Shami is slowly reaching the endpoint.

But one thing that is common in both of them is their recent fitness issue. While Shami is trying hard to make a comeback into the Indian team after surgery, Mayank Yadav has been out since the IPL 2024 season due to a lower abdominal tear.

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Jay Shah provides the fitness update on Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav

During a conversation with TOI, Jay Shah was asked about the fitness status of Mohammed Shami and Mayank Yadav. Shah made it clear that Shami will be there in the reckoning for the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia because of his immense experience.

The BCCI secretary also added that Mayank Yadav is currently looked after at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but his fitness status is unknown. Mayank's ability to bowl at high speeds can him a lethal bowler in Australian conditions which offer bounce.

"Your question about (Mohammed) Shami is right, but I cannot give you any answer on Mayank Yadav as there is no guarantee whether he will be in the team or no. But he is potentially a good fast bowler, and we are looking after him. He is currently in the NCA. Shami will be there because he is experienced, and we need him in Australia," Shah said.

Mohammed Shami's last international match

Mohammed Shami played his last international match in the ODI World Cup final 2023 against Australia where India suffered a heartbreaking defeat. Since then, he has been out of any professional cricket. He underwent surgery on his Achilles tendon earlier this year which ruled him out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup 2024 that followed.

According to the reports, he has already started bowling full tilt and is moving back to full fitness. Currently, he is training at the NCA. He was expected to feature in the Duleep Trophy 2024 in one of the four sides of the competition but the selectors gave him extra time to recover before the Test series against Bangladesh.

Mayank Yadav working on his fitness at NCA

Meanwhile, Mayank Yadav is a raw talent but his fitness status is unknown. He hasn't played any professional cricket since his injury midway through the IPL 2024 season. He is completing his rehabilitation at the NCA under the fast bowling contract introduced by the BCCI earlier this year.

Mayank has plenty of potential to serve India in the future. In his short glimpse so far, he has proven his quality with his pace and control. The 22-year-old has the ability to bowl at speeds of more than 150 kmph on a consistent basis while maintaining a good line and length.