NEWS
Follow UsIndian skipper Rohit Sharma gave an update on Mohammed Shami’s potential comeback to the Indian team during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
With Shami playing the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 for Bengal having already featured in the Ranji Trophy this year, it was expected that he might be called upon by the national team at some point during the Australia tour.
However, Rohit categorically denied having any thoughts about rushing Shami to the side as he is in his recovery phase.
In fact, the Indian skipper, who himself missed the first Test of the series, further revealed that the Bengal pacer even developed soreness in his knees while playing SMAT, and therefore, it is not ideal for him to get back to international cricket.
“The door is very much open for Mohammed Shami but while playing Syed Mushtaq Ali, he developed swelling. So we are monitoring him and we don't want to put pressure on him and we will take the call based on what the BCCI medical team feels,” Rohit said in the post-match press conference after the Men in Blue lost the second Test by 10 wickets on December 8 (Sunday) at the Adelaide Oval.
Shami last played for India in the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023. Rohit also talked about how other bowlers in the squad must shoulder the responsibilities, and the team should not always look at Jasprit Bumrah to give them breakthroughs.
“Bumrah cannot alone take responsibility. The other guys also need to step in and share responsibility as there will be days when Bumrah won't get wickets,” said the 37-year-old.
Bumrah, who got eight of the 20 Australian wickets that fell in the first Test, picked four of the 10 in this match. But apart from him, no other Indian bowler, including Harshit Rana, who came in with a reputation for having the ability to rush the batters with his pace, was able to look threatening.
Rohit, though, backed Rana’s selection for the second Test in place of Akash Deep, who had not done a lot wrong with the ball to be sidelined from the playing XI after the New Zealand Tests at home. Rana, who picked up four wickets in the Perth Test, was unable to get any in the Adelaide game and went for 86 in his 16 overs in the first innings.
“It is not the right thing to judge Harshit Rana based on one Test match. I don't feel he has done anything wrong and dropping him without a reason doesn't look good. He got a player who put pressure on him. He has got heart and guts to play,” Rohit said, adding the fact that Rana's four wickets in the pink-ball practice match in Canberra only made his case stronger.
Rohit and India have a chance to regain the lead in the third Test at Gabba, starting December 14.
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