After finishing their limited-overs matches in Sri Lanka, the Indian cricket team is currently on a break. They will be back in action for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which will be held in India next month. The first Test will start on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, and the second Test will be held at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur from September 27.
Before the Test series begins, several Indian Test players such as Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rishabh Pant will participate in the Duleep Trophy to prepare themselves. The selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the team for the Bangladesh series early next month.
Before choosing the team, it’s been said that the top Indian fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, won’t be playing in the next games. He’s expected to return to the Indian team for the three Test matches against New Zealand in October-November.
Shami last played for India on November 19, 2023, in the ODI World Cup. He’s now recovering from ankle surgery.
A report from PTI on Sunday mentioned that Shami might play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 before rejoining the Indian team.
The New Zealand Test series begins on October 19 in Bengaluru, with subsequent matches in Pune on October 24 and Mumbai on November 1.
The BCCI aims for Shami to be completely ready for the five-match Test series against Australia, starting in Perth on November 22.
Shami, anticipated to return after a long break during the Bangladesh series, was also not included in the Duleep Trophy teams, announced by BCCI on August 14.
As reported by PTI, Shami was not included because there was no possibility of him being fit in time for the Duleep Trophy. The selectors are being cautious and don’t want to rush his recovery more than necessary.
Shami first played a Test match for India against the West Indies in Kolkata in November 2013. Over the past 11 years, the 33-year-old fast bowler from Bengal has taken 229 wickets in 64 Test matches for India. Before his injury, Shami was performing very well and was the top wicket-taker in the ODI World Cup 2023. He played in seven games for the team led by Rohit Sharma and took out 24 batters.
