It is just a precautionary measure to keep him out: Mohammad Shami's coach

In a huge blow to India’s pace bowling department, India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has been forced to miss the ODI series against England as a precautionary measure, keeping the upcoming Test series against Australia in mind. Shami’s persistent knee issue is the reason again. The right arm fast bowler injured himself in the third Test against England and had to pull out of the last two matches.

The injury isn’t bad according to officials and the BCCI has taken a safety-first approach so that the team has to not miss his services like it had to earlier this year when he underwent surgery in his left knee. Speaking to CricketNext, Shami’s coach Badruddin Siddique said that there was nothing serious with the injury and it would be a safety first approach keeping in mind the long season ahead.

“There is nothing serious with his injury as far as I know. It is just a precautionary measure keeping in mind the Australia series. Shami was bowling full throttle going into the England series. But after the first three games, he felt a pain in the knee and the management felt that it was best to not strain him any further,” he said.

Badruddin also confirmed that his left knee is now completely fine and he is fully fit. “Not at all. He recovered completely and was 100 per cent going into the England series. But then, pacers do suffer injuries here and there and there isn’t much to fret about. The stress that a pacer’s body goes under is unparalleled so you can’t help.”

When contacted by media, the BCCI refused to confirm the development saying there is no official word on Shami’s injury yet.

The selectors will be hoping that Shami is fit in time for the high-tension series against Steve Smith’s Australian side and the pacer doesn’t spend much time off the field. Australi’s tour of Indis commences from February. The Kangaroos will play 4 Tests starting from February 23rd.