Rohit Sharma hints at Mohammed Shami’s return for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma revealed that the “door is very much open” for Mohammed Shami‘s inclusion in the squad for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. With India suffering a demoralizing 10-wicket loss in the second Test at Adelaide, Sharma acknowledged the need for reinforcements in the bowling unit.

Shami, who has been showcasing his skills in domestic cricket, remains under close observation as the Indian team assesses his readiness for Test cricket. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Rohit said, “We are monitoring him closely. While playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he experienced some swelling in his knee, which has impacted his preparation. We don’t want to rush him and risk further injury.”

The 34-year-old pacer, who last played in the ODI World Cup 2023 final, underwent ankle surgery before making a successful return in the domestic circuit. In November, he delivered an impressive performance for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy against Madhya Pradesh, taking 7/156 across both innings. He followed it up with appearances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, claiming eight wickets in seven matches.

India’s pace attack was underwhelming in Adelaide, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the charge but receiving little support from Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana. The lack of depth in the bowling unit was evident as Australia capitalized on the pink-ball Test with a stellar performance from Mitchell Starc and an explosive century by Travis Head.

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Rohit emphasized the importance of Shami’s experience, stating, “We want to be 100 percent sure before bringing him in. There are professionals monitoring his progress, and a decision will be made based on their feedback. Shami is always welcome to join the team when ready.”