Mohammad Shami ruled out of Asia Cup, Bhuvneshwar to replace

The Indian team has been dealt a huge setback days ahead of the Asia Cup T20 as right-arm pacer Mohammad Shami has been ruled out of the Asia Cup being deemed unfit. The Indian selectors have announced swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been announced as a replacement for the injured pacer.

Earlier this month surprising most by the decision, the Indian selectors had named Shami in the squad for the Asia Cup and World T20 that closely follows, despite there being no certainty over his fitness. Shami who was India’s best bowler in the World Cup 2015 has been unfit since the end of the tournament and though he was drafted in the team for the all-important tour of Australia he broke down even before actually taking field.

Mohammad Shami hasn’t still recovered from the hamstring injury and the selectors have decided to give him more time keeping the World T20 in contention. There were no details provided on his injury which is known to be a Grade II injury to his left hamstring.

This could well prove to be a golden chance for Bhuvneshwar who has also been out of favor since he lacks pace and the conditions in Bangladesh are considered to assist spin more than pacer. Bhuvi had earlier also replaced the pacer in the ODI series in Australia where he featured in the XI for the first and second ODI but could not fetch a wicket and was later replaced in the squad by seam bowling all-rounder Rishi Dhawan.