Former Indian Coach Question’s Mohammed Shami’s Absence in BGT

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has raised concerns over the handling of Mohammed Shami’s fitness and his omission from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad in Australia.

The cricketer-turned-commentator expressed disappointment at Mohammed Shami not being taken to Australia to rehabilitate under the national team’s medical supervision, a move Shastri believes could have made a significant difference in the series.

Shami’s Injury and Recovery Timeline

After an outstanding 2023 World Cup campaign, Shami underwent ankle surgery in February 2024, sidelining him for a considerable period. He returned to competitive cricket in November 2024, playing for Bengal across all domestic formats.

Despite proving his fitness, Shami was not cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to join the Indian squad even midway through the series.

It was widely believed that the pacer would join the team after the first two tests but before the Boxing Day game, Shami was officially ruled out for the remainder of the tour.

Shastri voiced his disapproval of the communication surrounding Mohammed Shami’s recovery and fitness status, stating it lacked transparency.

“I would have kept him part of the team and ensured his rehabilitation was done with the team,” Shastri told the ICC Review. “By the third Test, if he still wasn’t fit, we could have let him go, but I would have brought him to Australia to monitor him with the best physios and facilities available.”

Shastri also highlighted how Shami’s experience could have alleviated the pressure on Jasprit Bumrah, India’s stand-in captain. Bumrah delivered a phenomenal performance, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06, but bowled an exhaustive 151.2 overs, leading to a back spasm that ruled him out on the final day of the Sydney Test.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was evenly poised at 1-1 heading into Melbourne for the Boxing Day test. Shastri believed Mohammed Shami’s experience could have added depth and balance to India’s bowling attack, complementing Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

“You needed that experience,” Shastri said. “Shami could have raised the bar alongside Bumrah, similar to how Scott Boland supported Pat Cummins for Australia.”