Why is Mohammed Shami not taking part in the South Africa vs India test today: – To qualify for the Indian Premier League, Team India will play seven test matches till March. The team has returned to Test cricket.
However, the big blow for India is that their captain Mohammed Shami not taking part in the South Africa vs India test today.
Team India is fielding a full group of players for the first time since the World Cup final on November 19, albeit in a different format: Test.
For the first time in over a month, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah are also expected to return to action.
However, the team’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami will be absent due to an ankle injury due to which he will be out of the entire Test series against South Africa.
Team India bowler Mohammed Shami will not be in the starting lineup for the next first Test match between South Africa and India at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Although his participation in the two-match Test series depended on his fitness, he was originally named in the squad.
After an intense domestic 2023 ODI World Cup campaign, Shami suffered an ankle problem. After seeing a specialist in Mumbai, it was decided that he would not be able to fully recover in time for the match against South Africa.
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“Mohammed Shami, whose participation in the Test series was dependent on fitness, has not been cleared by the BCCI medical team and the fast bowler has been ruled out of the two Test matches,” the BCCI said in a statement.
One of India’s most experienced players, Shami has made three tours to South Africa: in 2013, 2018, and 2021.
During his career, the bowler has taken 35 wickets in the eight Test matches played in the Rainbow Nation, so Team India will be at a loss because of his absence.
The first game of the series on Boxing Day was postponed due to a wet outfield. After the damp areas on the field dried, the match officials were happy with the final conditions.
South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bowl first. Two South African players, Tony De Zorzi and David Bedingham, made their Test debuts, while Lungi Ngidi has been left out for the hosts.
If Mohammed Shami is not participating in Team India then who is?
To provide some variety in the playing eleven, Team India has opted to use four seamers in their bowling attack, with Shardul Thakur serving as the all-rounder.
In Shami’s absence, the visiting team has given Prasidh Krishna a debut to complete the fast bowling attack, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj being the obvious choices.
As for the spin department, first-choice candidate Ravindra Jadeja was sidelined with back spasms, giving Ravichandran Ashwin a chance to play his sixth Test match in South Africa.
“We are very confident about our team and the structure of our team. We are playing with four fast bowlers and one spinner. Ashwin is playing in place of Jadeja.
Jaddu had a little back spasm, so Ashwin came and his “Other famous fast bowlers are making their debuts along with Shardul, Siraj, and Bumrah,” Rohit Sharma said during the toss.