Team India pacer Mohammed Shami has tested negative for COVID-19, hours ahead of the first T20I between India and South Africa on Wednesday, September 28. However, he will still not be a part of the three-match T20I series.
Shami, who last played a T20I in 2021, earned a recall as recently he was selected as part of the T20I series against Australia. However, he was ruled out of the series after he tested positive for COVID-19. In fact, the right arm fast bowler was tested again and was tested positive which also ruled him unavailable for selection in the series against South Africa.
Mohammed Shami was eventually replaced by veteran fast bowler Umesh Yadav in the squad for both Australia and South Africa series. Finally on Wednesday, Shami returned negative for COVID-19 and also shared a picture of negative report on his Instagram handle.
Mohammed Shami named in reserve list for the T20 World Cup
Shami wasn’t able to find a place in Team India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia next month. However, he has been named as one of the four standby players for the showpiece event and is expected to travel with the Indian contingent.
Shami is one of the notable absentees from India’s main squad for the marquee T20 event. Many fans and critics alike backed him to make the cut for the all-important tournament, considering India’s pace bowling woes.
The Bengal pacer’s last T20I appearance came at last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. He has since been ignored by the national selectors in the shortest format. However, he was impressive with the ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL 2022) earlier this year.
Mohammed Shami played a major role in the Gujrat Titans’ (GT) title-winning campaign, emerging as a top performer for them. With 20 wickets from 16 outings, he was the leading wicket-taker for the franchise this season.
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