India’s cricket team will be boosted by the return of Mohammed Shami as it heads into a difficult tour of Australia. Out of infamy because of an ankle injury, Shami recently sported his form with an impressive showing in the Ranji Trophy.
And though he accepted how much Shami could change the dynamics, Morkel was clear that there was a need to be patient when it came to his recovery. “We’re definitely keeping a close eye on him. Shami is a world class bowler, but we need to appreciate 1 of the reasons why he has been out almost for a year. We have to respect his body,” he said.
Knowing the era when Shami would play in 2023 BGT as India has already included him in their squad for the tour of Australia. However, the Indian team management does not seem in any hurry to get him into the playing eleven and the emphasis is more on the player getting fit again.
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The team management looks after his fitness and if he is fit enough, then there will be no qualms in including him in the Test squad. They do not want to ruin Shami’s career and want him to be fully fit before getting into action.
In the interim, the team will be without the services of regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is on paternity leave at present. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to take the lead as well as responsibility in the Test match against the West Indies in which Rohit will not be there, as he has done so in the past in 2022 against England.
Bumrah’s capabilities as a bowler and captain of the team was further explained as Morkel called him a “born leader.” Morkel further added that Bumrah will be backed by the likes of Kohli and KL Rahul who bring a wealth of experience to the team.
“Jassi is a guy who immediately put his hand up and wanted that leadership role. He’s been very successful here in the past,” Morkel said. “He knows what to expect. In the dressing room, he speaks well. And he’s a guy who I know, with the ball in hand, will lead from the front and then the rest of the younger guys will follow.”
With an arduous Australian tour coming up, the comeback of Shami and the captaincy of Bumrah’s are definitely good for the team’s prospects. Swinging the ball ferociously with extreme pace, Shami has the ability to be a real threat in Australian conditions. Bumrah is a world-class bowler and even a good leader. He is dangerous due to his pace and bounce off the wicket with pinpoint accuracy. With these two players in form, India is sure to compete well against the Australians.