Basit Ali insists Mohammed Shami should be included in India’s playing XI for the third Test against Australia, highlighting his importance in the bowling lineup.
Basit Ali Urges Shami’s Immediate Return
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes Mohammed Shami must be sent to Australia immediately. He stated that waiting until the fourth Test would provide no significant advantage. Shami’s return is seen as crucial due to India’s lack of support to Jasprit.
“We are getting news that Shami will be going but might play from the fourth Test. There won’t be any benefit if India plays Shami from the fourth Test. Send him now and play him the Brisbane Test. If you are calling him for Melbourne, then don’t call him at all. India need Shami now! Your pace attack needs Shami,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
India’s Pace attack seemed under dominance of Australian batters despite the efforts of Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj with Jasprit Bumrah.
Rohit Backed Harshit Rana
In the recently concluded Adelaide Test, Harshit Rana went wicketless on his pink-ball debut. However Indian skipper Rohit Sharma backed the young bowler during the post-match press conference.
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Captain Rohit also talked about Shami’s fitness. He revealed that his fitness was being carefully monitored due to knee swelling after playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Rohit emphasized the importance of ensuring Shami’s full fitness before reintroducing him to Test cricket.
“The door is very much open (for Mohammed Shami). But we are just monitoring him, because while playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he got some swelling in his knee. It obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match here. We want to be very, very careful. We don’t want to be in that situation where we bring him for a game and then he pulls up sore..we want to be more than 100% sure with him,” said the 37-year-old.
Mohammed Shami’s Form
The most crucial pacer of India , Mohammed Shami has not played international cricket since the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Due to ankle surgery he went through a surgery. After surgery, he made his comeback in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.
Currently, he has participated in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).Shami has taken 8 wickets in seven matches.In his first-class return, Shami claimed seven wickets to help Bengal secure a win over Madhya Pradesh.
India’s World Test Championship Final Hopes
The upcoming three matches are critical for India’s qualification for the World Test Championship(WTC) final. India must win all three Tests consecutively to secure a direct spot.A single loss or draw would force the team to rely on other teams’ performances.
The absence of an experienced pacer like Shami has been felt, especially after Bumrah lacked adequate support in Adelaide. He picked up eight wickets in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and delivered an impressive seven-wicket haul in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match.
India will face Australia in Brisbane, where conditions are likely to favour pace bowlers. Shami’s Inclusion could provide the much-needed balance to India’s bowling attack.However, Shami’s kit is already packed by BCCI,only NAC’s approval is left.
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