India are set to play a 2-match Test series against South Africa, starting December 26. The Indian team will return to full strength with senior India players – Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah returning to the cricketing fold for the first time after the World Cup 2023 Final.
India Test Squad vs SA
India will not have the services of Mohammed Shami after the fast bowler was ruled out of the bilateral series by the Board of Control for Cricket in India medical team who deemed the pacer unfit. Shami has been recovering from an ankle injury since the World Cup 2023 and his availability was subject to fitness.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra reckons that Shami will be a big miss for India in the South Africa series. The Indian team are yet to win a Test series in South Africa, and it is the last remaining frontier for the subcontinental side against the Test playing nations.
“Mohammed Shami is an amazing player. You are filled with pride with the kind of World Cup he had. He won’t be there. He has an injured ankle. In my opinion, it’s a big problem because when you think about Mohammed Shami, you see wickets with the new and old balls,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
Shami was exceptional in the World Cup 2023 for India and finished the tournament as the top wicket-taker. Originally benched at the start of the tournament, Shami came into the playing XI after Hardik Pandya twisted his ankle in the third match of the tournament against Bangladesh.
“You have seen his magic in ODIs, but Test brings the best out of him. His Test numbers in South Africa are also thumbs-up with both hands. So we are going to miss you, Mohammed Shami. Who will come in his place will be a big question,” Chopra concluded.
The first Test match of the series begins on 26 Dece
