The upcoming T20 International series between India and Australia will not include Mohammed Shami. The veteran pacer has not arrived in Mohali, the venue of the first of the three T20I matches against the Australians (20th September), according to reports. BCCI officials confirmed that Shami, who was thought to make a prominent comeback, has been tested positive for COVID-19, and shall miss the critical chance before the ICC T20 World Cup.
The outcome of Shami’s COVID-19 illness and his participation in the ensuing three-match T20I series against South Africa are both reliant on one another. On September 28, October 2, and October 4, respectively, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati, and Indore will host the three Twenty20 International matches against South Africa.
It is unfortunate for the veteran pacer Shami, who was ready to make a comeback almost after a year. Shami last played in UAE when India were knocked out of the group stage in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Umesh Yadav is most likely to be offered as a replacement, although his availability is contingent upon a positive COVID-19 test. Umesh just returned from a county spell with Middlesex that was cut short due to an injury to his quadriceps muscle.
It is a nice break into the white-ball team for Umesh Yadav and t he established Nagpur pacer’s most recent appearances in a T20I was in February 2019 and an ODI in October 2018.
India’s probable Squad after Shami’s exclusion for Australia T20Is: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav.
