Published: December 9, 2024
The Indian cricket camp is abuzz with reports suggesting a disagreement between captain Rohit Sharma and senior pacer Mohammed Shami over the latter’s fitness and availability for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The issue reportedly stems from contrasting opinions on whether Shami is fully ready to return to Test cricket after a prolonged injury layoff.
A Puzzling Fitness Status
The debate took center stage after India’s crushing 10-wicket loss in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, where the team’s bowling unit struggled to back pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. With calls mounting to bring Shami back into the squad, Rohit Sharma’s remarks on the veteran pacer’s fitness added fuel to the fire.
Addressing the media, Rohit said:
“We want to be more than 100% sure with him because it has been a long time. We don’t want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team. Professionals are monitoring his recovery, and we’ll decide based on their assessment. The door is open for him to play anytime.”
However, reports suggest that Shami believes he is fit and ready to make a return, a stance that has reportedly led to a heated exchange between the pacer and the captain during the first Test in Bengaluru during the New Zealand series at home.
Conflicting Statements
According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the disagreement stems from earlier comments made by Rohit during the New Zealand series, where the skipper implied that Shami wasn’t entirely fit for high-pressure matches like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. These remarks reportedly did not sit well with Shami, who had maintained that he was fully recovered and match-ready.
India’s Bowling Concerns
The absence of a fully fit Mohammed Shami has put additional pressure on the pace attack, with Harshit Rana and Mohammed Siraj unable to provide adequate support to Bumrah in Adelaide. The team’s inability to secure 10 wickets in the match has raised concerns ahead of the third Test.
Rohit and the team management appear cautious about rushing Shami back into action, especially with reports of a minor setback during his recent stint in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
What Lies Ahead?
The BCCI is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, and decisions about Shami’s participation in the remaining matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy are expected soon. While the focus remains on ensuring the pacer’s long-term fitness, the speculation of a rift between Rohit and Shami could become a talking point if not addressed promptly.
Stay tuned to Board of Sports in India (BOSI) for updates on this developing story and the Indian team’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
