Huge blow for India! World Cup hero Mohammed Shami ruled out of South Africa Test series

Mohammed Shami could not reach full fitness in time while Deepak Chahar had to withdraw due to a medical emergency.

Huge blow for India! World Cup hero Mohammed Shami ruled out of South Africa Test series

Mohammed Shami (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

Deepak Chahar and Mohammed Shami will not be part of the Indian team for the South African tour. Shami, who was struggling with an ankle injury, has failed to recover in time for the Test series. Meanwhile Chahar withdrew due to a medical emergency in his family. 

Shami last played a Test in June during the 2023 WTC Final. Since then India played only two Tests in the Caribbean, where the pacer was rested. Chahar was picked for both white ball series, but left for home. Akash Deep, who was with India A in South Africa, has been called up as Chahar’s replacement.

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So far there has been no replacement for Shami in the Test Team, but there will be one soon as there are only 5 pacers in the squad. The pacer’s next outing could be India’s home series against England, where there will be 5 Test matches played. 

Who will replace Mohammed Shami? 

With Shami now not available, the Indian team has lost one of their most important players in the team. Since 2023, India have played a pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Shami, but with the latter out, there will be a change in plans. The Indian team will most probably play 4 pacers, with Shardul Thakur operating as the 4th one.

Prasidh Krishna Mukesh Kumar
Prasidh Krishna and Mukesh Kumar are the current frontrunners to replace Mohammed Shami (Images via ESPN)

With Shami out, India will have to turn to either Mukesh Kumar or Prasidh Krishna. Kumar had his Test debut against West Indies, where he picked up 2 wickets. Krishna on the other hand has been in the Indian Test team since 2021, but never got a match. He has only played 11 first class matches, including the recent India A match where he picked up 5 wickets. 

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