Before the T20I series against England started last week in Kolkata, anticipation was Mohammed Shami will be at the top of his mark, ready once again to bowl for India after 15 months. But his name remained missing from the playing eleven, and the same happened in the second match in Chennai. So what exactly is the status of Shami's fitness?
Former India opener Aakash Chopra raised the question on his YouTube channel, expressing concern over the mystery over Shami's availability despite being named in the squad after a long wait since he returned to competitive cricket towards the end of last year.
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An ankle surgery after the 2023 ODI World Cup followed an extended rehabilitation period, which kept Shami away from the field for a year.
"Will Mohammed Shami be back? That's the biggest thought. At some stage, he has to play. This month is about to get over, it's the 28th, and then you have one more match, but your T20 series will be more than half done by this (Tuesday) evening," he said.
"So if Mohammed Shami doesn't play now also, what is the actual status? The truth is that Shami needs to play. If Shami doesn't play, I am personally worried. It's not that the Champions Trophy is starting tomorrow but he hasn't played for 15 months."
Shami played a crucial role in India's run to the final of the last ODI World Cup, where they lost to Australia, and also ended up as the tournament's top wicket-taker.
India felt his absence during the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy where Jasprit Bumrah lacked consistent support from the rest of the bowling unit. However, Shami was not considered fit for the rigours of red-ball international cricket at that stage.
Chopra said the status of Shami's fitness and match-readiness won't be known unless he plays.
"We are a broken record. We are repeatedly saying 'no issues, next match'; but the truth is that he will only get ready if he plays international cricket...If Shami is not playing at all, at some stage, you will start wondering what the status is," he said
"You are not making him sit out because of the bowling combination. There is no report about whether he is available to play this match (3rd T20I), but I really hope that he is available and plays the match. No matter how the match goes, whether he gets hit or gives less runs, picks up wickets or not, I want to see Shami running in and bowling," Chopra concluded.
India lead the five-match series 2-0 after wins in Kolkata and Chennai.
