India suffer setback as Mohammad Shami gets injured

Mohammad Shami, who was about to make a return to the Indian team after a nine-month hiatus is yet again doubtful for the series against Australia. The Indian pacer reportedly suffered another injury as he hurt his hamstring during the practice session prior to India’s first warm-up fixture against Western Australia XI on Friday.

Confirming the injury yesterday, a BCCI source said that a final decision on Shami’s availability will be taken on Saturday (January 9).

“He suffered an injury during the team’s training and is being monitored. Based on the medical advice on Saturday, it will be decided whether he will continue to be a part of the squad or not,” the source said.

Shami last played for India in the 2015 World Cup, where he played through a lot of pain. However, dodgy fitness did not hamper his performance as he finished as the fourth highest wicket-taker in the tournament. Following the end of the tournament, he underwent a surgery for his problematic knee. His comeback was keenly awaited by Indian fans.

Shami proved his fitness by playing a couple of domestic matches in December and had even shown some sparks of his old form with a spell of 3/18 against Hyderabad earlier this month.

As a precautionary measure, the BCCI has put 22-year-old pacer Jasprit Bumrah as the standby for him. Bumrah finished as the highest wicket-taker of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2015 taking 21 wickets in 9 matches. He has also taken 9 wickets in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament.

It is reported that Gujarat have been already intimated about it that they might have to release the youngster for national duties. India begin their five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia in Perth on Tuesday (January 12).