Former South Africa player Paul Adams felt that star India pacer Mohammad Shami’s absence could be a major blow for India on the pacy and bouncy wickets in Australia. Shami was not included in India’s jumbo 18-member squad vs Australia. However, the India pacer is set for a comeback after his long injury layoff. Shami, who has been out due to an ankle injury since the ODI World Cup Final last year, is set to make a comeback in the Ranji Trophy in Bengal vs Madhya Pradesh.
“I think he (Mohammad Shami) will be a major miss for India against Australia eyeing the conditions. The pace and bouncy wickets in Australia would have helped India in gaining an upper hand if Shami had been in the squad, but that’s not in the selector’s hands as he is recovering, but I think he will be missed,” Paul Adams said in a media interaction.
Shami hopeful of Border Gavaskar comeback?
The leading wicket-taker of the ODI World Cup had to step away from cricket following ankle surgery shortly after the tournament. While Shami was initially expected to return in time for the Test series against New Zealand, his comeback was delayed. During rehabilitation, a knee injury resurfaced, further extending his recovery timeline.
Paul Adams hailed Shami for his ODI World Cup heroics and his ability to carry the bowling attack. He highlighted that there will be pressure on Jasprit Bumrah and that Ravindra Jadeja would be key to the Indian team.
“Pressure will be on Bumrah”
“We all saw what he did in the ODI World Cup 2023. He single-handedly carried the Indian pace attack, and he is someone who has the ability to extract from any pitches around the world despite the conditions. The seam position and the length are just extraordinary. The pressure will be on vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah and other pacers, but I believe it will be all-rounders who will play a huge role for India, especially Ravindra Jadeja,”
India captain Rohit Sharma had addressed the injury concerns of Shami and had revealed that the pacer still had issues with his knee. Shami had slammed the media reports of the same right before the New Zealand series when he was not named in the India squad against the Kiwis.