World Cup hero to miss South Africa Tests due to ankle injury
The first Test gets underway on December 26 in Centurion before the action shifts to Cape Town for the second and final game which will commence on January 3.
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Dec 14, 2023 6:06 pm
Indian cricket fans brace for a blow as veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s participation in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa appears increasingly doubtful. Shami, currently recovering from an ankle injury, was named to the squad with the caveat of reaching full fitness before the series. However, sources suggest this scenario is improbable, and his official exclusion is imminent.
As such, it will be a massive blow for the Indian side as Shami is not only an integral part of the team but is also in great form. In the recently concluded ODI World Cup, Shami was on absolute fire as he picked up 24 wickets in just 7 games, finishing as the highest wicket-taker.
Shami’s excellent bowling was a huge part of India’s storming success as the team won 10 games in a row before agonizingly losing to Australiain the Final. Shami experienced discomfort even during the quadrennial event but dealt with the pain, delivering one of the best performances by an Indian bowler in a World Cup.
India vs South Africa (Source: Twitter)
Mohammed Shami was India’s best bowler in the ODI World Cup 2023
In his last two tours of South Africa, Shami was India’s best bowler, picking up 29 wickets in six games. Had luck been on his side, he could have picked even more wickets. His absence will now put pressure on the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to be at their absolute best as India look to win their first Test series on South African soil. The Indian Cricket Board is expected to name a replacement for Shami soon. Picking a replacement will not be much of an issue as there are plenty of Indian players on South African shores already.
India has sent 75 players to the rainbow nation for the multi-format tour plus the ‘A’ shadow tour which has already started. While most of the players have already reached South Africa, one last batch which includes skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain, Virat Kohli, will leave for Johannesburgon Friday, December 16. The first Test gets underway on December 26 in Centurion before the action shifts to Cape Town for the second and final game which will commence on January 3.
