Indian team is missing Mohammed Shami in South Africa: Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik stated that the Indian team is missing injured Mohammed Shami in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The 33-year-old pacer finished as the highest wicket-taker in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He was rested for the subsequent white-ball assignments against Australia and South Africa. Shami was expected to play a key role against the Proteas in the two-match Test series, but he was ruled out due to an ankle injury.

On Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test, India managed 245 on the back of a brilliant century from KL Rahul before the hosts finished the day with a score of 256/5.

“The man [Mohammed Shami] has grown in stature as a bowler and as a leader of the pack. He is an able lieutenant to Jasprit Bumrah. You can imagine with the upright seam on this kind of pitch. I promise you, he would have definitely gotten a few wickets. The Indian team really misses him,” Karthik said while speaking on Cricbuzz.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets apiece for India. Prasidh Krishna, on Test debut, conceded 61 runs in 15 overs and picked up one wicket. The seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur went wicketless, conceding 57 runs in 12 overs. Karthik felt that Prasidh and Shardul did not provide adequate support to Bumrah and Siraj on Day 2.

“Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna going for close to 118 runs in their 27 overs. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj going for just 111 in their 31 overs. Siraj was a tad bit expensive, especially in the last spell, they also bowled some brilliant balls. You could see every time they were on, you got the feeling that they could get you a wicket or two. Whereas with Shardul or Prasidh, you had to wait for a batter to make a mistake,” Karthik added.

Day 2 belonged to Dean Elgar, who finished on 140 not out off 211 deliveries. He hit 23 fours in his innings and would be key for the home side in the first session on Day 3. Rohit Sharma & Co. would love to see the back of him early in the day as South Africa's lead, which is only 11 now, could grow substantially if the southpaw stays at the crease.