Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami missed selection for the Test squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia. However, Mohammed Shami sent a strong message to the selectors, showing his readiness to perform for Team India at the highest level.
The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee is scheduled to announce India's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy and the upcoming England ODI series by January 12, the deadline for submitting provisional squads. The selectors are likely to field the same team, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only exception.
We are all ready to face the world – Muhammad Al-Shami
Before announcing the squad, Mohammed Al-Shami sent a strong message to the selectors. He posted a video of his training session ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-finals on January 7. In the video, he is seen bowling and clearing middle stump, which has impressed Indian cricket fans.
The 34-year-old is a key player in India's success in the Champions Trophy. He shared the video with the caption: “Precision, speed, passion, all ready to take on the world!” This came a day after former India coach Ravi Shastri questioned the team management over Shami's exclusion from the BGT squad.
Precision, speed, and passion, all ready to take on the world! ππͺ #Shami #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/gIEfJidChX
– πΈπππππππ πππππ (@MdShami11) January 7, 2025
Mohammed Shami last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup
Shami last played for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where he was the leading wicket-taker. His last Test match was the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June.
Shami returned to competitive cricket for Bengal in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy and later played in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He will next play against Haryana in the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy on 9 January.
The inclusion of the speedster in the Champions Trophy squad is crucial to team management. The selectors are expected to evaluate him in the upcoming ODI series against England before making a final decision. ICC rules allow teams to make changes to their provisional lineups until February 13.
Mohamed Shami's role has become crucial as concerns grow over Bumrah's fitness ahead of the Champions Cup
Concerns are growing over Jasprit Bumrah's Champions Trophy readiness after he sustained an injury during the second day of the Sydney Test against Australia. The fast bowler, who suffered from back spasms, was immediately taken for tests and did not return to the field.
Three days after the end of the match, which saw Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, the BCCI's medical team is yet to issue an official update on the severity of Bumrah's injury.
A report by PTI suggests that Bumrah is likely to miss the upcoming ODI series against England. But if his condition worsens, his participation in the Champions Cup could be in serious jeopardy, leaving him in a race against time to regain fitness.