While India anxiously monitors Shami’s fitness, Rohit strengthens the team’s backup options

With Mohammed Shami ruled out of the India-New Zealand Test series, the team faces a setback as they prepare for the upcoming five-Test series in Australia starting in November. Skipper Rohit Sharma confirmed that Shami’s recovery has encountered a hurdle, emphasizing the importance of not rushing him back into international cricket.

“To be honest, it is currently tough for us to determine whether Shami will be fit for this series or the Australia series,” Rohit stated during a press conference ahead of the Bengaluru Test. “He recently faced a setback with swelling in his knee, which was quite unusual while progressing towards full fitness. This has delayed his recovery.”

Shami works with physiotherapists and doctors at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Rohit was optimistic, saying, “We are keeping our fingers crossed. We want him to be fit 100% fit. More than anything, we don’t want to bring an underprepared Shami to Australia. That would not be the right decision for us.”

Having already been sidelined with a left Achilles heel injury since the World Cup last year, the knee complication adds to Shami’s challenges, leaving Rohit pondering when he might return for the Australia series. “It is quite tough for a fast bowler to miss so much cricket and then suddenly return to his best. That is not ideal. We want to give him enough time to recover fully. The physios, trainers, and doctors have established a roadmap for him, and he is expected to play a couple of games before returning to international cricket. We will assess his situation after the New Zealand series and decide when he can be fit for us in Australia,” he explained.

As a result, India is bringing a group of “traveling reserves” for the Test series against New Zealand, including Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, and Nitish Reddy. Prasidh Krishna, who was expected to join the team, has reportedly faced another setback during Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy match. He bowled only eight overs out of the 140 bowled by Karnataka against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Rohit noted that all the backups are being evaluated for potential inclusion in the Australia series.

“We wanted to keep them close because we are considering them for Australia. We want to monitor their workloads, especially since many have had past injuries. We must build them up and assess the options available to us. As I mentioned, we aim to develop bench strength, creating a group of fast bowlers with eight or nine options instead of just three or four. This is our goal moving forward.”

Numerous options are available for batting, and we aim to replicate that depth with our bowlers as well. This is why we’ve included them in the squad. If we determine they are ready to step into that role tomorrow, they need to be prepared for it. They have already played a few matches before this announcement, including the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy. We aim to monitor them closely and manage their workloads effectively,” Rohit explained.

“When you identify talent, bringing them as close to the team as possible is important. They’ve demonstrated their potential in the short time they’ve been with us. We want to keep them around and assess whether they are ready for international cricket, particularly in the Test format. Test cricket presents a different challenge compared to white-ball cricket. We aim to see what they can contribute and expand our options. Ultimately, we want to develop a bench strength that ensures we’re not overly reliant on a few individuals. This approach prepares us for the future and allows us to make thoughtful selections.”

“Sometimes, you have to fast-track a player for the benefit of Indian cricket. We want to cultivate players who can step in swiftly in case of injuries. Both Nitish and Harshit are talented individuals who can provide significant stability to the team going forward. We want to understand their capabilities and what they bring to the table. Discussing their thoughts on Test cricket is valuable, as we rarely get that opportunity. It’s beneficial to have them around to gauge their mindset and perspectives on playing at this level,” Rohit added.

Aside from the pace bowling situation, there are questions regarding Rohit’s participation in the India-Australia series. India has appointed Jasprit Bumrah as vice-captain for the New Zealand series. While Rohit’s availability is still uncertain, he expressed confidence in Bumrah’s leadership skills.

Bumrah has played a lot of cricket, and I have shared the field with him extensively. He has a strong understanding of the game and a good head on his shoulders. While I can only comment a little on his tactical knowledge since he hasn’t captained often, only one Test match and a few T20s, he grasps what is required in various situations. When there’s a need for a leader to step up, Bumrah will rise to the occasion.

“Throughout the years, he has consistently been part of our leadership group. Whether it’s guiding new bowlers joining the squad or engaging in internal discussions about the team’s direction, he has always played a significant role in leadership. His experience makes him a valuable asset, and having him around to communicate with the bowlers and facilitate internal discussions about advancing the team is undoubtedly the right approach.

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