Published: December 13, 2024
New Delhi: Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is reportedly considering skipping the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy to focus on his recovery and preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
As per a BCCI source, the 34-year-old speedster, who has recently returned to domestic cricket after an injury layoff, feels he may not yet be ready to handle the rigors of red-ball cricket. Shami’s knee issues and his desire to manage his workload have prompted discussions about prioritizing the latter stages of his career.
Domestic Return Highlights
Shami had a promising Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign, taking 11 wickets in nine games at an economy rate of 7.85. Additionally, his all-round skills were on display when he smashed an unbeaten 32 off just 17 balls to lead Bengal to a pre-quarterfinal victory over Chandigarh.
The star bowler’s next domestic assignment may be the Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 21, where he is expected to bowl multiple spells and further assess his fitness.
Strategic Decision
According to a source within the BCCI, Shami’s decision might also be influenced by his lucrative IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad, who acquired him for a staggering ₹10 crore.
“Shami is at the business end of his career. What if his knee acts up badly in Australia after a long spell? He will have to field on hard grounds. He missed the last IPL due to ankle surgery. This time, he has a hefty deal with SRH, and you can’t blame him if he wants to preserve himself for white-ball cricket,” the source said.
India’s Pace Attack in Shami’s Absence
With Shami potentially out of the Test series, India’s pace attack will continue to rely on Jasprit Bumrah as the spearhead, supported by Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Akash Deep. The team management is confident in the depth of its fast-bowling reserves to carry the load in Shami’s absence.
Future Focus
Shami’s strategic approach underscores the challenges faced by players in balancing workload management and career longevity, especially in a packed cricketing calendar. While his absence might be felt during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his focus on recovery and preparation for key tournaments ensures that he remains a valuable asset for Indian cricket in the long run.
Stay tuned for more updates on Team India’s progress and player developments with Board of Sports in India (BOSI).
