Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami will not travel to Australia. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) provided an update on Shami’s fitness on Monday, declaring him unfit for the next two Test matches against Australia. After the third Test, Indian captain Rohit Sharma had requested the National Cricket Academy (NCA) officials to clarify Shami’s fitness status. Following this, the Indian board officially ruled him out.
Shami Misses Out Due to Knee Injury
Shami was not included in India’s 18-member squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to a knee injury. He has been out of the Indian team since the ODI World Cup final last year and made a comeback through the Ranji Trophy. Shami has been actively playing domestic cricket, and the BCCI’s medical team has been closely monitoring his progress.
Mild Swelling in Shami’s Knee
BCCI confirmed that Shami has been recovering from a knee injury, and they are optimistic about his full recovery soon. The board’s statement mentioned that the medical team has been working closely with Shami to aid his recovery. Although he had fully recovered from an ankle injury, he experienced mild swelling in his left knee due to an increased bowling workload.
Shami bowled 43 overs for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and participated in all nine matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He even took part in additional bowling sessions to prepare for Test cricket.
However, due to continuous bowling after a long break, mild swelling was observed in his knee. Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI medical team stated that Shami requires more time to manage his workload and recover. As a result, he has been declared unfit for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Uncertainty Over Vijay Hazare Trophy Participation
Shami also missed Bengal’s first match against Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy last week. The BCCI confirmed that the medical team is constantly monitoring his workload. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on how quickly he recovers.
The board added that Shami will remain under the supervision of the medical staff at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. He will focus on controlled bowling sessions to prepare for longer formats. His return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee recovery.
