Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali reckons that India desperately need the services of Mohammed Shami for IND vs AUS 3rd Test in Brisbane and not at a later stage in Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pacer is currently playing for Bengal in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and is yet to recieve a clearance from NCA to join the team in Australia. With India losing the Adelaide Test, the team is in dire need for the veteran pacer’s services in Down Under.
IND vs AUS: “India need Shami now”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said that there was no use of calling up Shami for the 4th Test in Melbourne. He rather suggested India to fly Shami out immediately to join the rest of the side for IND vs AUS 3rd Test in Brisbane. The 3rd Test is scheduled to begin from December 14. Meanwhile, reports have claimed that Shami will wrap up his duties for Bengal in SMAT and then head to Australia, perhaps for the last two Tests.
“We are getting news that Shami will be going but might play from the fourth Test. There won’t be any benefit if India plays Shami from the fourth Test. Send him now and play him the Brisbane Test. If you are calling him for Melbourne, then don’t call him at all. India need Shami now! Your pace attack needs Shami,” Basit said
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“Door still open for Shami”: Rohit Sharma
Speaking at a press conference at the loss at Adelaide Test, India skipper Rohit Sharma made it clear that while the door for Shami is open, they want to be cautious before drafting him into the team.
“The door is very much open (for Mohammed Shami). But we are just monitoring him, because while playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he got some swelling in his knee. It obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test match here. We want to be very, very careful. We don’t want to be in that situation where we bring him for a game and then he pulls up sore..we want to be more than 100% sure with him,” Rohit Sharma said.
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