Revealed: Where Is Mohammed Shami and why he wasn't picked in India's Test squad for Australia?

India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been announced. The squad not only features some surprise picks but there are some notable absentees as well.

One of those names is Mohammed Shami, who has been left out of the squad for the five Tests in Australia. Shami was expected to mark his international return from this series but the plans had to be changed.

With Mohammed Shami not there, India's top three fast bowlers for this series are Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. Bumrah will undoubtedly lead the bowling attack and will be crucial to India's chances.

Also read: IND vs AUS: Harshit Rana in India squad for Border-Gavaskar Trophy only because of Gautam Gambhir alleges BCCI official

Why was Mohammed Shami not picked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25?

Mohammed Shami had a right Achilles tendon surgery earlier this year. Due to the surgery, he was unable to feature in IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup 2024 as well.

He was earlier expected to make an international comeback in the Tests against Bangladesh after his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). However, Shami wasn't fit to play the Bangladesh Tests.

The senior fast bowler was then expected to make his appearance in New Zealand after playing a match in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal but a swelling on his knee blew away the plans for his comeback.

Doubts had already started appearing on his availability for the five Tests in Australia and it has now been confirmed that Shami won't be a part of India's squad.

Mohammed Shami has started bowling

During the rehabilitation, the swelling on his knee has kept him out of the whole series. It is unfortunate for him as he was expected to play the highly anticipated series and was looking forward to it.

However, Mohammed Shami has already started bowling in the nets. His videos of bowling in the nets have gone viral on social media but the selectors believe that he still needs time to be fit for the grind of Test cricket.

India's bowling attack for the Australia tour

Meanwhile, India have selected an inexperienced pace attack for the Test series against Australia. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are the only fast bowlers who have the experience of playing Tests in Australia. Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna are the other quicks in the squad but they do not have experience in Australia.

Bumrah has been a part of India's team for the last two tours to Australia while Siraj made his Test debut during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Akash Deep is the third quick and is likely to have a key role in the series.

Akash has been impressive at the start of his Test career so far and will enjoy the pace and bounce of Australian conditions. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are the frontline spinners in the squad while Washington Sundar has also been selected after his ten-wicket haul against New Zealand at Pune.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin on November 22. The five-match Test series will be played in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.