Aware that the pace bowling cupboard is nearly bare, the Indian team management may not consider selecting Bengal pacer Mohammed Shami in the final two Tests against South Africa in Nagpur and Delhi next month, preferring to get him fully fit for next year's ICC World T20.
Shami, who has undergone a knee surgery, is still recuperating and has started his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He is around 60 percent fit but will still take some time to attain full match fitness.
"I spoke to Shami sometime back and he said that he is now around 60-70 percent fit. He is still not bowling full tilt. There is a possibility that he might be match-fit by the time of the final Test against South Africa in Delhi (starting December 3). But I heard that the team management has told him that they need him for Australia tour and World T20 next year and would not like to take any risk," Shami's childhood coach Badruddin Siddique told PTI today.
"Shami is confident that he will be hundred percent match fit by the time the limited overs series is held in Australia in January. After that there is the big event, World T20. The feedback that he has got is that 'we would be happy to get you during last Test but we can't miss you for the World T20'. Shami is working towards that," Badruddin said.
Badruddin said that Shami will first will have to turn up for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy or Vijay Hazare Trophy.
According to Bengal team management, there is a possibility that Shami's comeback to competitive cricket will happen when Bengal play their final group league encounter in the Ranji Trophy or start their campaign for the East Zone leg of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
