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The Rohit Sharma-led Team India were handed a crushing 10-wicket defeat against Australia in the Adelaide Test following their emphatic win in Perth by 295-runs. However, with the Aussies coming back into the series, the five-match BGT 2024-25 stands levelled 1-1. After India’s defeat, skipper Rohit Sharma was also asked if Team India will get in Mohammed Shami, seeing Jasprit Bumrah also suffered an injury scare during the Adelaide Test.
However, the 37-year-old did not confirm Shami joining the side down under, but hinted that there could be a possibility seeing the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as well as the selectors are closely monitoring him as he features in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament. Seeing Rohit Sharma’s response, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali also shared a piece in regard to same, pertaining Shami’s potential call-up.
Send him now and play him the Brisbane Test: Basit Ali on Md Shami
Speaking on his YouTube channel after India’s 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide, the former Pakistan cricketer opined, "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 [in] 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."
Earlier skipper Rohit Sharma had affirmed that the “door is open” for Shami to join the side in Australia, but they do not want to hurry as he has already been out for more than a year now. “Definitely that door is very much open but we’re just monitoring him because while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he again got some swelling in his knee, which obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match. We want to be very, very careful, we don’t want to bring him here in a situation and play him and then he pulls up or something happens,” Rohit had said at post-match press conference.
