India’s Test team has announced its squad for the home series against South Africa. All eyes are on the comeback of Rishabh Pant, who is recovering from injury.
But the absence of senior fast bowler Mohammed Shami once again raises questions about whether his red-ball career is about to end.
Rishabh Pant’s Strong Return
Rishabh Pant suffered a foot fracture in the Manchester Test against England in July, after which he missed the West Indies series. Now, the 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has made a full recovery.
Recently, India A defeated South Africa A in Bengaluru, where Pant scored 90 runs in the fourth innings in a chase of 275 runs.
He will now replace N Jagadeesan in the 15-member squad captained by Shubman Gill. Pant’s return strengthens the batting and keeping departments.
The series begins on November 14th in Kolkata, followed by the second match in Guwahati on November 22nd. Besides Pant, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Sai Sudharshan are in the squad.
Shami Ignored Again
Now let’s talk about Shami. The 34-year-old veteran pacer has been sidelined for the third consecutive time for the England, West Indies, and now South Africa series.
He is fit and in form, but is out of both the senior and India A squads. Shami last played a Test in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.
He was in the Champions Trophy this year, but his performance in the IPL was poor. The selectors are now focusing on younger pacers, which has led to Shami’s ranking dropping.
Surprisingly, Shami’s domestic form is excellent. He took 15 wickets in three matches in the Ranji Trophy, including a five-wicket haul against Gujarat.
Yet his name was missing not only from the senior team but also from India A against South Africa A in Bengaluru.
