Credits: BCCI/X
Indian fast-bowler Mohammed Shami is set to join the Indian squad in Australia for the rest of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The veteran fast-bowler will be a part of the playing XI in the final two Tests, where he will partner Jasprit Bumrah to strengthen India’s bowling unit. Earlier, there were reports doing rounds that the fast-bowler has not got his NOC yet, and is unlikely to travel to the land Down Under.
However, according to SportsTiger sources, the cricketer will be available for the last two Test matches for the elite tournament. Shami getting a fitness clearance certificate from the NCA’s medical team now just remains a ‘matter of formality’ as he is fully fit to compete in international games. Moreover, PTI quoted a source as saying, "Shami’s India kit has already been dispatched to Australia. He will complete the Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 assignment and then leave.”
Shami has shed six kilograms of body weight: Bengal head coach
While the cricketer is set to play his first international game since the ODI World Cup 2023, he will be a part of Bengal’s preliminary quarter-final squad. The side will compete against Chandigarh in Bengaluru on December 9. Ahead of the game, Bengal head coach Laxmi Ratan Shukla spoke about Shami’s fitness and said that he is unaware of the pacer’s participation in the SMAT beyond the forthcoming match.
He told PTI, “Shami will be playing the pre-quarterfinal for us against Chandigarh. He will join us in Bengaluru by tomorrow. However, I am not sure if he will be available if we qualify for quarters or go the distance. Guess he will be fit and available for the last two Australia Tests.” Shukla added, “He (Shami) has already shed around six kilograms of body weight. He has played seven T20 games in 13 days. If he plays pre-quarters it will be eight games in 16 days. Shami himself wanted to play a fair amount of domestic cricket and inform NCA how his body reacts.”
