Mohammed Shami’s participation in the Test series against South Africa is in serious doubt due to an ankle injury, raising concerns about his potential exclusion from the two matches against the Proteas.
Cricbuzz reported on December 5 that Shami, nursing the ankle injury, won’t be traveling to South Africa with the final batch of players, including skipper Rohit Sharma, scheduled to leave on Friday (December 15). While replacements haven’t been named, the possibility exists, given the considerable pool of players already in South Africa for various formats.
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Shami, a conditional pick for the Test series, was undergoing treatment when the squads were selected on November 30. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) clarified that Shami’s availability was contingent on fitness, stating, “Mr. Mohd. Shami is currently undergoing medical treatment, and his availability is subject to fitness.”
The veteran pacer, dealing with ankle pain, had shouldered the World Cup workload despite discomfort, particularly while landing on his right foot during deliveries. With the first Test starting on Boxing Day at Centurion, the concern over Shami’s fitness adds a layer of uncertainty to India’s pace attack in this crucial series.