NEW DELHI: A fit-again Mohammed Shami recently made a comeback to competitive cricket after a year-long injury hiatus, appearing for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy game and looked in good rhythm.
In the clash against Madhya Pradesh, Shami bowled 43.2 overs with good control and picked up a seven-wicket haul in the match. But former India opener Aakash Chopra feels that pushing the veteran pacer into Test cricket after just one game post recovery will be too much to ask for.
With India set to lock horns with Australia Down Under in the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy, calls for Shami’s inclusion have been made as team’s bowling looks inexperienced.
India’s pace department includes vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep besides seam-up allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana. Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar are the three spinners in the squad.
Chopra feels that Shami looked ‘undercooked’ in the domestic game and putting him in Test cricket, that too in Australia, so early might turn out to be a questionable call.
“Mohammed Shami has played a match (Ranji). We weren’t able to see much of his bowling as it was not being streamed. We did see the wickets he took. I’d say he is undercooked. Honestly, we want Shami to be there (in Australia) because Bumrah, Shami, Siraj — there’s a different ring to it. In Bumrah, Siraj, Akash Deep combination, we can see a bit of weakness. Lack of experience can be felt,” Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
“To push Shami into Test cricket so early will be a questionable call because he hasn’t played since last one year. You play one match after a year and suddenly you put Shami in a Test game, that won’t be fair. If there’s a breakdown during the match or if there is no form, then everyone will ask ‘why was there so much desperation to play Shami?'” he said.
Chopra also pointed out that the grounds in Australia can take a toll on the body of the players. That in turn raises chances of a flare-up or a fresh injury.
“Secondly, the grounds in Australia are very soft, so there are chances of recurrence of injury. I would say Shami should take more time. We all want Shami to play as soon as possible, but we shouldn’t hurry his return,” Chopra added.
The first Test between India and Australia starts from November 22 in Perth.
