Mohammed Shami not travelling to Australia for Adelaide Test, will continue to play in SMAT

Mohammed Shami isn’t in the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) plan for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The right-arm pacer who had been out of action for nearly a year returned to action two weeks ago in a Ranji Trophy game against Madhya Pradesh. Shami immediately impressed, taking seven wickets, scoring a valuable 39, and helping Bengal win by 11 runs. 

Shami’s services not needed in India vs Australia Test series

Many wanted the 34-year-old to fly to Australia immediately and offer his services to Team India for the first Test in Perth. Shami wasn’t called, but assistant coach Morne Morkel informed everyone that management is keeping a keen eye on the pacer. 

They’ll continue to monitor Shami afar. That’s because he isn’t asked to travel to Australia for the 2nd Test in Adelaide. Currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, the BCCI wants the veteran pacer to continue to work on his game fitness. Risking an injury as he returns isn’t something the board wants, and nothing suggests that Shami is ready to return to Test cricket. 

Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj did a fine job in the India vs Australia 1st Test, and therefore, the BCCI doesn’t need to bring in Shami. One mustn’t forget that Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep, who are the two other pacers, are already waiting for their turn, and four other fast bowlers (Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal) are part of the Australia tour, travelling as reserves.

“There has been no conversation around trying to send Shami to Australia, atleast for now. At the moment, the fast bowlers chosen for the tour and the first XI in the opening Test at Perth are doing their job very well,” a Cricket Association of Bengal told the Times of India.

India vs Australia Test series schedule

• November 22-26: 1st Test at the Perth Stadium (India won by 295 runs)
• November 30-December 1: Prime Minister’s XI v India at the Manuka Oval (Day and Night)
• December 6-10: 2nd Test at the Adelaide Oval (Day and Night)
• December 14-18: 3rd Test at The Gabba
• December 26-30: 4th Test at the MCG
• January 3-7: 5th Test at the SCG