Mohammed Shami ruled out of Australia T20Is after testing positive for COVID-19

India have received a huge blow ahead of their home T20I series against Australia, starting September 20. India’s star pacer Mohammed Shami has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been ruled out of the Australia series. It remains to be seen if Shami would be able to make a comeback for South Africa series which is scheduled to start later this month.

India are all set to play the first T20I of the Australia series on September 20 in Mohali whereas the first T20I against South Africa is scheduled for September 28 in Kerala. Talking of Shami, he was last seen in T20I setup during last year’s T20 World Cup and it remains to be seen if he will be able to make his selection count in upcoming T20Is once he returns after recovering. As per the reports by Cricbuzz, Shami hasn't even reached Mohali, the venue for first T20I. 

Shami has also not been named in India’s 15-member T20 WC squad and has rather found place in four standbys. However, in the latest turn of developments, it has been reported that all standby players would also travel to Australia with the team.

India Squad for Australia T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohd. Shami, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah.

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