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With talks around Mohammed Shami likely to join Team India down under for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) intensifying, a recent report has revealed that he might not travel to Australia due to continuous fitness concerns. However, Team India skipper Rohit Sharma also exclaimed that the “door is open for Shami to join India”, the Indian pacer may not just feel right at this moment.
According to a report published by PTI, Mohammed Shami instead might choose to not travel to Australia for the ongoing five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). This updates comes after he feels that he is not ready to play red-ball cricket at the moment and is more focussed towards playing white-ball cricket.
Mohammed Shami unlikely to travel to Australia for BGT 2024-25; to focus on domestic cricket
However, a confirmation from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still awaited on Shami’s travel to Australia for the ongoing Test series, recent reports have hinted that he might not just travel. If this happens, fans will have to wait a little longer as he is currently focussed on coming back for the upcoming marquee tournaments, including the Champions Trophy 2025 by featuring in as many domestic cricket tournaments as possible.
A BCCI source informed PTI, as quoted by TimesNow, “The swelling seems to come and go. He himself is keen on playing more and more domestic cricket and hence the possibility of him once again playing Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bengal (starting December 21) looks imminent at the moment. He can then bowl at least three spells and 10 overs per game."
“Shami is at the business end of his career, and hence does not want to risk another injury if he bowls long spells in Australia. What if his knee acts up badly in Australia after a long spell? He will have to field on hard grounds. He missed the last IPL due to ankle surgery. This time, he has a hefty Rs 10 crore deal with SRH. You can't blame him if he wants to preserve himself for white ball format for now," he added.
