Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer officially included in the Indian team for the 4th Test

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today (March 24) officially announced the induction of pacer Mohammed Shami and batsman Shreyas Iyer in the Indian team ahead of the 4th Test against Australia at Dharamsala. While Shami has been with the team for the last few days Iyer joined them today as cover for skipper Virat Kohli who is still struggling with a shoulder injury.

Earlier media reports also suggested the Shami was unfit and was not considered for the game but as it has emerged the board has made an announcement on the eve of the Test which suggests he is in contention for a spot in the team and if he plays will be a real boost to their plans considering the wicket at Dharamsala is expected to assist the pacers.

In the pre-match conference, Virat admitted that he will start in the team only if he is 100 percent fit and his fitness status will only be clear after the test conducted on the eve of the match or in the morning. If I am 100% fit for the game, it is the only condition when I will take the field. If I go through the fitness test, then I will take the field,” he said.

With Shami’s inclusion he will certainly feature in the Indian XI tomorrow and will take Ishant Sharma’s place who has done well but clearly the former is a more lethal bowler on a wicket that has assistance for the faster bowlers with his ability to laterally move the new as well as the old ball.

If Virat isn’t fit Iyer will make his Test debut in the all important game. Pravin Amre who has been the Mumbai batters coach from a very young age said, “As far as Iyer is concerned, he is a confident boy, if he gets a chance he can deliver. It is always better to play when you are in good nick,”

“It’s all about peaking at the right time, all good cricketers manage that. The warm-up match against Australia was the most important game for him. It came bang in the middle of the zonal Twenty20 matches but we focused our preparations entirely on the Australia game and it has paid off,” said Amre.