Can Mohammed Shami join the Indian Test squad for the Australia tour?

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour. While the Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is currently recovering, is there any chance for him to return to the Test squad for the forthcoming Australia tour? 

In the Australia tour, India will play a five-match Test series, which is also known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This Test series will be part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, as all five Tests are important for the defending champions Australia and the two-time runners-up India. This Test series will start on November 22. 

Indian pace bowling squad for the upcoming Australia tour

For the upcoming Australia tour, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian pace-bowling line-up, while the other pacers are Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and the uncapped Harshit Rana. Also, the pacers Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed have been named in the reserves squad for the tour.

SEE ALSO: Bengal coach reveals Mohammed Shami's fitness status

Mohammed Shami is in the recovery process

The 34-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami hasn’t played a competitive match since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 Final against Australia in November 2023. Due to his ankle injury, he underwent surgery in London early this year. He is still in the recovery process, while recently he was seen in the net to bowl in a strong rhythm.

While Shami has already missed out on the first three Bengal matches in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, he is likely to play Bengal’s next fixture against the hosts Karnataka, starting on November 6. 

According to media reports, if Shami proves his fitness in the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches, he can be added to the Indian Test squad.

The Indian Express report claims, "A call on Mohammed Shami's inclusion will be taken after the pacer proves his fitness in the Ranji Trophy. As reported earlier, Shami is expected to play Bengal's fourth round match against Karnataka in Bengaluru in the first week of November after Diwali."

While most Indian pacers lack experience in Australia, Shami’s presence can prove huge for the Indian team.