Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali wants Mohammed Shami to join India’s squad as soon as possible for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Basit feels that Shami must be available for the Brisbane Test as India needs him desperately.
Mohammed Shami was due to be a part of the ongoing Test series right from the start. However, a swelling during his return from surgery further delayed his participation. As a result, he wasn’t considered for the series initially with India going for an inexperienced fast bowling attack.
However, there is some news coming out that Shami might be available for the fourth Test in Melbourne. The reports claim that Shami’s kit has already been dispatched to Australia and it is only a matter of time before he gets a fitness clearance from the NCA to take part in the series.
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Basit Ali wants Mohammed Shami to play the Brisbane Test
While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali claimed that Mohammed Shami should be available from the third Test in Brisbane. He believes that India needs Shami in their pace attack but advised the BCCI not to send him to Australia if he is coming for the last two Tests.
“We are getting news that (Mohammed) Shami will be going but might play from the fourth Test. There won’t be any benefit if India plays Shami in the fourth Test. Send him now and play him in the Brisbane Test,” Basit said.
“If you are calling him for Melbourne, then don’t call him at all. India needs Shami now! Your pace attack needs Shami,” the former Pakistan batter added.
Depleted pace bowling attack for India
In the absence of Mohammed Shami, India’s bowling attack hasn’t looked at its best so far in the series. The pace bowling is relying too heavily on the spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to perform.
While Bumrah has shouldered his responsibility well and returned with exceptional performances so far, other fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana haven’t made any significant impact.
Siraj is going through a rough patch currently while the inexperienced Harshit Rana was taken to the cleaners by Travis Head in the second Test in Adelaide. It remains to be seen whether India makes any changes for Brisbane after a dismal outing in Adelaide.
Rohit Sharma hints at Mohammed Shami’s comeback
Meanwhile, Indian captain Rohit Sharma was also asked about Mohammed Shami’s return after the end of Adelaide Test. Rohit hinted about Shami’s possible comeback in the series but called for being careful since he is returning from a long injury lay-off.
“No, no. That door is very much open. But we are just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, he again got some swelling in his knee, which hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful,” Rohit had said.
Mohammed Shami’s return will boost India’s bowling attack which has been too reliant on Jasprit Bumrah so far. If he comes into the team, it will be a huge sigh of relief given that he also has previous experience playing in Australia.