Mohammed Shami’s Fitness Deadline: BCCI’s Tough Call
The BCCI has given Mohammed Shami a strict deadline. He must prove his fitness to rejoin Team India before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As per reports, Shami must show significant progress in less than a week through the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) T20 games, with a key focus on fitness, weight loss, and endurance.
BCCI’s Fitness Demands: Key to Shami’s Comeback
“What one needs to see is when he can let go of the dependency on the BCCI’s medical team, which is treating him after every spell he is bowling,” – said a BCCI source, as reported by The Times of India on November 22.
“The medical team feels he will start losing weight as he keeps playing matches, which will help build his endurance. Since the Ranji Trophy leg is over, the first round of SMAT matches have been kept as a makeshift yardstick,” – the source also said.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: A Test of Fitness
Shami’s evaluation began on November 23 with the start of SMAT matches. Over the next 10 days, BCCI’s head of sports science, Nitin Patel, and National Cricket Academy (NCA) trainer, Nishant Bordoloi, will evaluate his performance. They will focus on Shami’s fitness recovery. He must be ready for high-intensity games.
Selectors are reportedly cautious about rushing Shami back. The ICC Champions Trophy is in February 2024.
ICC Champions Trophy Considerations
A major worry is if Shami can keep the intensity for a grueling Test series like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A source revealed:
“Bowling two-over spells in T20 matches in SMAT isn’t the ideal parameter. To maintain intensity in a high-profile Test series is a different ball game. There is a chance he could be sent to train with Team India if he clears the SMAT challenge, but to play him will be a good call. The selectors are also wary about the Champions Trophy in February,”- said the source.
If Shami proves his fitness, he could join Team India for the third Test, starting December 14.
Team India’s Bowling Depth Without Shami
In Shami’s absence, Team India excelled in bowling depth. They won the first Test at Perth by 295 runs. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah led the attack with eight wickets. Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana took five and four wickets, respectively.
