'Undercooked' Mohammed Shami's BGT selection blocked by Aakash Chopra with 'breakdown' warning

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Aakash Chopra is against the selection of the premier pacer Mohammed Shami for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Aakash Chopra believes that the fit-again Mohammed Shami is still 'uncooked' and it won't be fair to push him to participate in the five-match Test series.

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Mohammed Shami returned to competitive cricket action after a year

Mohammed Shami has finally made his comeback to competitive cricket in a major boost for the India National Cricket Team. He played the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Madhya Pradesh at the Holkar Cricket Stadium.

The pacer looked in decent touch in the match and reportedly had no fitness issues despite bowling nearly 44 overs across two innings. In the first innings, he bowled 19 overs and gave away 54 runs while picking up 4 wickets. In the second innings, he bowled 24.2 overs and bagged 3 wickets while giving away 102 runs.

Notably, he had suffered an Achilles tendon injury for which he underwent surgery and missed out on cricketing action for almost one year.

He was on the path to full recovery before the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. However, his knee setback pushed his comeback date further, and the BCCI selection committee didn't include him in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad.

We did see the wickets he took. I'd say he is undercooked - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that Shami looked 'undercooked' on his return to cricket.

"Mohammed Shami has played a match (Ranji). We weren't able to see much of his bowling as it was not being streamed. We did see the wickets he took. I'd say he is undercooked.

"Honestly, we want Shami to be there (in Australia) because Bumrah, Shami, Siraj -- there's a different ring to it. In the Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep combination, we can see a bit of weakness. Lack of experience can be felt," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.

If there's a breakdown during the match.... - Aakash Chopra

Chopra further stated that pushing Shami to play Test cricket this early wouldn't be a wise call and there will be chances of him breaking down in Australia.

"To push Shami into Test cricket so early will be a questionable call because he hasn't played since last one year. You play one match after a year and suddenly you put Shami in a Test game, that won't be fair. If there's a breakdown during the match or if there is no form, then everyone will ask 'why was there so much desperation to play Shami?'" he said.

Aakash Chopra also highlighted how grounds in Australia are very different, and the chances of Mohammed Shami getting re-injured might increase if he is rushed.

"Secondly, the grounds in Australia are very soft, so there are chances of recurrence of injury. I would say Shami should take more time. We all want Shami to play as soon as possible, but we shouldn't hurry his return," Chopra added.