Mohammed Shami is not expected to be selected for the Indian ODI and T20 teams, To emphasis on the Tests: Report

Mohammed Shami, a prominent pacer for India, is not expected to be given any consideration for white-ball cricket anytime soon in an attempt to extend his Test career.

“It is learned that for the time being, Shami won’t play white-ball games as there are seven Test matches, including five against England at home, and the ‘Amroha Express’ is expected to play a big role in the sub-continental conditions where the ball reverses a lot,” according to PTI.

With 24 wickets in the just-finished ODI World Cup, Shami was the leading wicket-taker. However, he is presently recovering from an ankle injury. He was named on the test team, subject to passing the fitness test; however, he was not selected for the three T20Is and numerous ODIs in South Africa. Even if Shami had been healthy, he would not have been given consideration for the shorter formats, if reports are to be believed.

That does not, however, imply that he is eliminated from consideration for the T20 World Cup. Because the T20 World Cup is only six months away, the selectors believe that the majority of the seasoned cricket players in the ODI World Cup squad can be vital contributors. Shami’s T20 career has previously been in jeopardy. After the

World Cup in the UAE, he was left off the short-format roster for nearly a year. However, after Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out, he was called up to the squad for the World Cup in Australia the following year.

“Whether Shami will play in next year’s T20 World Cup will depend on how he fares in the Indian Premier League, where he has had two good seasons for the Gujarat Titans,” said PTI.

The priority at the moment is getting Shami back to full fitness before India plays seven straight Tests—two in South Africa and five at home against England.

Shami was reportedly in Mumbai to see a sports orthopedic doctor about his ankle ailment.

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This injury does not precisely occur on the field. It’s a newly developed ankle issue. Shami traveled to Mumbai to see the physicians. Additionally, he will visit NCA for rehabilitation and rest. “If there had been no possibility that he would be fit for the Boxing Day Test, the national selectors would not have chosen him, a BCCI source with knowledge of the development told PTI under anonymity.