The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 is very close with the first Test of the five-match Test series set to start on November 22. The recent headlines is about the veteran Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Shami. Shami was not included in the main squad for the series but reports reveal that he is set to be included in the latter part of the series. India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, opened up on Shami’s chances of featuring in the BGT 2024/25.
Morkel said that the team management is keeping close tabs on the fitness and form of Shami. He expressed relief that Shami is back after an injury that kept him out of cricket for a year and his return is very good for the Indian Cricket Team. The former Proteas fast bowler went on to say that the BCCI along with the team is looking to provide the best support for the veteran fast bowler to return to playing cricket for India.
Morne Morkel said at the press conference: “We are keeping a close eye on Shami. He has been out for a year. For us, it is a massive win that he is back playing. How we can give him the best support to find his feet again? Working closely with the people back home. He is a world-class bowler.”
Mohammed Shami is part of the Bengal squad for the Vijay-Hazare Trophy
So, it is clear that the team management wants the fast bowler to play more matches before he is part of Test cricket for India. He was recently part of the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh and will now be part of the Bengal squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.
The team management was looking to include Shami along with captain Rohit Sharma for the second Test match against Australia. However, they have felt that it would be wrong to straight away get him in the playing XI after such a long injury.
Shami last featured for India in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad which India lost. He picked up 24 wickets in the tournament and was in sensational form in the tournament. Shami underwent Achilles Tendon surgery in February earlier this year.
