Team India captain Jasprit Bumrah has suggested that fast bowler Mohammed Shami could make his return to the squad at some point during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The series, consisting of five Tests, will run until the first week of January, starting in Perth tomorrow (Friday, November 22).
Shami has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury that required surgery and recovery. However, the 34-year-old made a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket, taking seven wickets for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh.
Bumrah, who will captain the team in place of regular skipper Rohit Sharma for the opening Test, discussed the playing XI and Shami’s potential return ahead of the match. Bumrah shared his thoughts (via RevSportz Global on X):
“We have finalized our combination. You’ll come to know it tomorrow. Shami has been an integral part and the management is keeping a close eye. If everything goes well, you might see him here as well.”
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Bumrah also expressed confidence in the team’s readiness to handle a potentially fiery Perth wicket.
“We are prepared. We came in early and trained at the WACA. We knew it was going to be a spicy wicket and we have prepared according to that. When we came here for the first time, we did well so the onus is on the youngsters to take up the responsibility as well,” Bumrah added.
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Bumrah has captained India in Tests just once – during the fifth and final Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022. Despite being in control for much of the match, India lost by seven wickets as England successfully chased down 378 runs.
“We’re not bringing any past baggage”- Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah stated that the team won’t carry any negative baggage despite the surprising 3-0 home Test series loss to New Zealand, marking India’s first home Test series defeat since 2012-13 and their first home whitewash in a multi-match series.
“Beauty of cricket is that if you win or lose, you start from zero. We are not carrying any baggage,” Bumrah said (via RevSportz Global on X).
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Despite the recent setback, India can take confidence from their dominance over Australia in the past decade, winning the last four bilateral Test series, including back-to-back victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21.
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