Mohammed Shami is set to take a backseat in white-ball cricket, with the focus shifting towards extending his Test career, according to a report. The star Indian pacer, affectionately known as the ‘Amroha Express,’ is anticipated to skip white-ball games, including ODIs and T20Is, as India gears up for seven upcoming Test matches. Shami’s pivotal role in the subcontinental conditions, where the ball tends to reverse, is a significant factor in this decision.
Currently nursing an ankle injury, Shami was absent from the recent T20Is and ODIs in South Africa, but he found a place in the Test squad, contingent on passing a fitness test. The prevailing reports suggest that even if fit, Shami might not have been considered for shorter formats. However, his exclusion from ODIs and T20Is doesn’t entirely rule him out of contention for the T20 World Cup.
Selectors believe that experienced cricketers from the ODI World Cup squad can still contribute significantly to the T20 World Cup, given its proximity, just six months away. Shami’s T20 career has faced uncertainty before, notably after the World Cup in UAE, where he was excluded for nearly a year, only to be recalled for the next year’s World Cup in Australia due to Jasprit Bumrah’s unavailability.
The ultimate decision regarding Shami’s participation in the T20 World Cup will hinge on his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has impressed during his stints with the Gujarat Titans. Presently, the primary focus is on ensuring Shami’s full fitness before the upcoming sequence of seven Test matches, two in South Africa and five against England at home.
Shami recently sought consultation with a sports orthopedic specialist in Mumbai to address his ankle condition, which, according to sources, is not a result of on-field injury but a developing ankle condition. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) source highlighted that Shami’s selection was contingent on the possibility of him regaining full fitness before the Boxing Day Test, emphasizing the strategic approach taken by the national selectors.
During the ODI World Cup, Shami initially missed the first four matches due to team composition requirements but played a crucial role in the later stages, ending as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets in seven games. Despite India’s sustained dominance, they lost the final to Australia. Shami, recently seen at a Vijay Hazare Trophy game in Mumbai to support his younger brother Mohammed Kaif, was observed walking with a slight limp, indicating the ongoing challenges with his ankle condition.
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