Indian skipper Rohit Sharma gave an update about pacer Mohammad Shami ahead of India’s warmup game against Australia in the T20 World Cup 2022. He said that the fast bowler has completed a couple of bowling sessions with high intensity and will train in the team in Brisbane.
“Shami so far is very positive,” Rohit Sharma on how the pacer is feeling after covid
BCCI on Friday roped in Friday (14th October) roped in Mohammad Shami as the replacement for Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury, in the squad.
There were many who were in the contention to replace him but finally, it was Shami who made cut into the Indian XI. He was originally named into the team as a standby player but keep him match fit BCCI named him in the Indian squad for Australia and the South Africa series.
He, however, missed those series as he tested positive for Covid-19. He then trained hard at the NCA to pass the fitness test and was flown to Australia, where he was added to the team.
Shami has not played a T20I for India since T20 World Cup 2021. After that, he was not considered for the T20I team. But he had a staggering IPL 2022 as he was the leading wicket-taker for his side with 20 wickets from 16 games.
Mohammad Shami has replaced Jasprit Bumrah in India's T20 World Cup squad.
Advertisement— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 14, 2022
However, him being experienced along with a good record in Australian conditions, he can be a vital clog for the Indian team in the T20 World Cup. He’s likely to walk straight into the playing XI for the game against Pakistan.
During the press conference, Rohit said that Shami has looked positive and will train with the team in the Brisbane. Speaking about the same, he said:
“As far as Mohammed Shami is concerned, He first got COVID, so he was at his home. He was called to the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He had been training hard at the NCA for the past ten days. And finally, he is in Brisbane. The Indian team will reach Brisbane soon as we have a practice session there. He’ll train with the team.
Whatever we have heard about Shami so far is very positive. His recovery has been really good. He had some bowling sessions and completed those with full intensity. So all and all, things are good with Shami,”
“World Cup is important, but Jasprit Bumrah’s career is more important to us,” Rohit Sharma on the pacer
Bumrah missed the Asia Cup due to a back injury and was expected to be fit for the T20 World Cup 2022. He returned for the T20I series against Australia but during that, he again injured his back and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament
Rohit talked about Bumrah’s injury and highlighted that they didn’t want to risk playing him as his career is more important to them. Talking about the same, he said:
“He’s a quality bowler. He has been doing good for us for so many years. Unfortunately, as I said earlier, injuries happen. It’s not in your hands. We spoke to many specialists about his injury, but there was no good response. Yes, this World Cup is important, but his career is more important to us.
“He is just 27 or 28, and has a lot of cricket ahead of him in the future. We can’t take the risk, and that is what the specialists told us. He’ll play a lot more and win a lot many matches for India. But yes, his absence will be felt.”
Mohammad Shami to be available for India in the warm up matches.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 15, 2022
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India will play two warmup games against Australia and New Zealand on the 17th and 19th of October before beginning their campaign against Pakistan on the 23rd of October.
