India’s premier fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who has been out of the Indian team since playing the third Test against England in November last year, is in Dharamsala with the Indian team.
Does that mean that the team management is thinking of drafting Shami into the side?
Shami sustained a knee injury during the England series and returned to competitive cricket in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, earlier this month.
However, he has played just two domestic games. Is he ready for the drill of Test cricket? And how did all the buzz of the fast bowler’s return begin?
Virat Answers Question on Shami’s Return
A journalist asked India’s captain Virat Kohli if Shami will return for the final Test of the four-match series against Australia. Kohli said that the team management sent the bowler to play Vijay Hazare Trophy and the possibilities of Shami playing the next match are there.
Then Things Became More Interesting...
The possibility of Mohammed Shami playing the next Test became a probability when the fast bowler posted a picture of a ‘beautiful morning’ in Dharamsala on Twitter on Wednesday, indicating that he has joined the Indian team.
If he is fit enough, then you never know, Shami might actually take the new ball in the last Test against Australia.
The Odds Favouring Shami
The current Indian bowling attack comprising Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been exceptional during the Test series so far. Therefore the Indian team management don’t have to tinker with their bowling plans.
But the Indian think-tank knows that a fit Shami will be lethal on the fast and bouncy pitch at Dharamsala. The 26-year-old can swing the ball at a good pace.
And India will be able to boast a good bowler in their arsenal who the Australians haven’t yet faced in the entire series.
Given the nature of the pitch, the team management will be itching to play a three-pronged pace attack at Dharamsala. So, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav will definitely find a place in the side.
But, Who Will India Leave Out?
Throughout the season, Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble believed in fielding a five-bowler attack, but after India were bundled out for below 110 runs in both innings in the Pune Test against Australia, the team management decided to add an extra batsman in the form of Karun Nair.
Nair hasn’t been able to make an impact in the three innings that he has played. After scoring a triple century in the England series, he managed scores of 26,0 and 23 in the series so far.
India may decide to field five bowlers at Dharamsala with Karun Nair warming the bench.
Maybe Ashwin?
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There’s another player India could look to leave out. But we doubt that the step will ever be taken in Indian conditions.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowing has left a lot to be desired on tracks that don’t assist spinners. Even on the flat wicket in Ranchi, Ashwin returned poor figures of 1/114 and 1/71.
Even in Bengaluru, when the wicket favoured the batsmen a little during Australia’s first innings, Ashwin picked up two wickets for 84 runs.
But on day five of the match, when the pitch became a quintessential rank turner, Ashwin stamped his authority on the game with figures of 6/41.
Since Ashwin has failed to deliver on fast and bouncy pitches, like the one in Dharamsala, India can field three pacers and one spinner (Ravindra Jadeja), leaving out Ashwin.
And keeping in mind that Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have not been in the best of form, the home side will feel safe with an extra batsman – Karun Nair in their side.
With the series on the line, a bold move by the Indian team could just be the difference between the two sides.
Sorry Ashwin fans, no offence, it’s just a thought!
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