Mohammed Shami's absence guarantees Australia a BGT win? Andrew McDonald drops colossal statement

Australia National Cricket Team head coach Andrew McDonald has shared his views on the absence of the star pacer Mohammed Shami from the India National Cricket Team squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

According to Andrew McDonald, India will definitely be missing the services of Mohammed Shami in the high-profile five-match Test series and labeled his absence as a 'big loss'.

Mohammed Shami Ruled Out Of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Mohammed Shami has officially been ruled out of the entire Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 unless BCCI makes a late inclusion in the squad.

On October 25, India's squad for the Test series in Australia was announced, and Shami was not picked. Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the pace-bowling attack, which consists of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana. Also, three pacers, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, and Navdeep Saini, have been kept in the reserves.

Notably, Mohammed Shami has not played any cricket since the ODI World Cup 2023. He underwent surgery after suffering an Achilles tendon injury and was on the path to recovery before a fresh knee setback occurred, which has pushed his comeback date further.

He would now need more time to recover and according to reports, he might get fit before the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Shami is likely to play a few Ranji Trophy to prove his fitness and could be added to the Test squad if fully fit.

They cannot be underestimated at all - Andrew McDonald

Andrew McDonald termed Mohammed Shami's absence as a blow for India but denied taking the Indian team lightly, especially highlighting the heroics of the pacers on the last tour.

"Mohammed Shami is a big loss. The way our batters speak about his relentless nature, his line and lengths, the way he goes about his business, a real good complimenting skill set to Bumrah so think that one-two combo they'll lack a little bit, and they'll miss that.

"But needless to say we saw what happened last time, they had reserves that came in and did the job as well so they cannot be underestimated at all," said McDonald to ABC TV's Offsiders show on Sunday.

I think we're picking the best team for here and now, and if that does encompass a younger player, then... - Andrew McDonald

Australia's search for the Test opener is still on with Steve Smith being pushed back to the No.4 spot. Several names are fighting for the spot and one such name is the teenager Sam Konstas.

Andrew McDonald said that the lack of experience and the age factor of Sam Konstas would not hamper his selection as they would be picking the best possible team for the BGT 2024-25. Andrew McDonald stated:

"I think we're picking the best team for here and now, and if that does encompass a younger player, then we'll head down that direction. Clearly, Sam Konstas, on the back of his first Shield match and the way he went about his work in the second innings at the MCG against Scott Boland, has definitely made some noise.

"I've heard people commenting, 'do you protect the player?' If they're ready, they're ready in our mind, and if Sam's capable and we feel as though is capable to fill that spot I don't think that the opponent should come into the equatioh.

"I think it's purely is this player good enough to play Test cricket? You've got to start against someone, and you shouldn't be holding back and protecting someone from a potential opponent, and India is a strong opponent but also the advantage of a player playing in Australia for their first Test summer is that the conditions are familiar. What better place to start than in your own backyard?" Andrew McDonald concluded.