India T20 WC Squad – Mohammad Shami Fitness Test: After testing negative for Covid-19, Mohammad Shami has reached the NCA for a fitness test this week. While he was scheduled to leave with Team India on October 6, he will now leave only after clearing the mandatory fitness test. A decision on his inclusion in T20 World Cup squad will be taken by October 15. Follow T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Yes, Shami is recovering well. He has resumed light practice. But he needs time to be completely fit. He will report to the NCA this week. Only when he gets the medical team’s clearance, he will be able to join the squad,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
India T20 WC Squad: It’s OFFICIAL! Jasprit Bumrah RULED OUT of T20 World…
India T20 WC Squad: Mohammad Shami REACHES NCA for FITNESS TEST decision on T20 World Cup fate by Oct 15, Follow LIVE Updates
With Jasprit Bumrah all but ruled out of T20 World Cup, it has created a huge crisis in Team India. The issue has been compounded with the current set of bowlers’ poor run in death overs. India lack experience and that is where Shami comes in. He is the frontrunner if Bumrah is completely ruled out. But he is recovering from Covid-19 and hasn’t played any T20s since IPL 2022.
While Team India are set to leave for Australia on October 6, Shami could be asked to stay back and join the World Cup squad later when the reserves leave after SA ODI series. India will play two warm-up games on October 17 and 19 against Australia and New Zealand. India will also play Western Australia in a practice match on October 12. Before that, the team management would want Shami to get back to 100% match fitness.
India T20 WC Squad: Mohammad Shami set for FITNESS TEST at NCA before leaving for T20 World Cup, Follow LIVE Updates
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“Shami not playing any matches before T20 World Cup is actually a concern. Hopefully, he is fit and gets to play the warm-ups. We have time to make changes in the squad. So, it would not be a problem. Once we receive a report on Hooda, we will have more clarity. For now, the squad will remain the same including the reserves,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
Meanwhile, the selectors have included all reserve players to play in the ODI series against South Africa. As game time has been limited for them, they would use the three ODIs to be at 100% ready for T20 WC.
India T20 WC Squad: Mohammad Shami set for FITNESS TEST at NCA before leaving for T20 World Cup, Follow LIVE Updates
India T20 WC Squad: India’s injury crisis before World Cup:
- Mohammad Shami is technically not injured but is still recovering from Covid and is currently unavailable.
- Although Shami has tested negative for Covid, he will need to pass the BCCI-mandated cardiovascular test to be eligible.
- Deepak Hooda has a back injury and a full medical report is awaited.
- Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of T20 World Cup with a back stress fracture.
- Harshal Patel is also returning from a rib injury and is yet to hit full tilt.
- Deepak Chahar did well on his return in the 1st T20 against South Africa but he hasn’t been given a lot of opportunities.
- Umesh Yadav is not at his 100 per cent following muscle injury.
- Mohammad Shami is the most experienced bowler in the squad and is likely to be included in the 15-member squad.
- Mohammed Siraj has been put on standby for reserves and will travel with Team India to Australia.
India T20 World Cup squad: Rohit Sharma (capt), KL Rahul (vice-capt), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh. Reserve players: Mohammed Shami, Shreyas Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi, Deepak Chahar.
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