Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023: India's Predicted Playing XI

10. Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami has carried the mantle of India’s pace attack along with Jasprit Bumrah in both ODIs and Tests. In the 50-over format, Shami has featured in 85 games and picked up 155 scalps. Coming to the longest format, he has picked up 216 wickets in 60 matches at an average of 27.45. 

Shami has troubled batters with his ability to move the new ball. Also, he is equally lethal with the old cherry and has ripped apart top-quality batting line-ups with his reverse swing. However, the veteran pacer did not fare well in the year 2022. He played five Tests and could manage only 13 wickets at an average of 34.46.

Also, Shami missed India’s last Test assignment, which was against Bangladesh due to a shoulder injury. With Bumrah ruled out of at least the first two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Amroha-born will need to be at his vintage best and lead India’s pace attack. 

Shami showed glimpses of brilliance in the final ODI against Sri Lanka, picking two wickets for 20 runs. The team management would hope the right-arm seamer builds on this performance and wreak havoc against Australia.