Mohammed Shami, in all likelihood, may reach Australia before the fourth Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The penultimate game of the five-match series in Melbourne will begin on Boxing Day, December 26.
The senior pacer, who’s currently playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for Bengal, may have his travel plans for Down Under finalised on Sunday, sources in the BCCI said.
“Shami’s travel plan to Australia could be finalised tomorrow (Sunday). After that, one can have a clearer picture regarding his participation in the Test series.
“As per the current situation, he’ll most probably be reaching Australia before the fourth Test,” a senior BCCI official told The Telegraph on Saturday.
Team India are currently under immense pressure in the ongoing pink-ball day-night Test in Adelaide. And if they are unable to turn things around, the team management may well press for Shami’s inclusion for the final two Tests at least.
Barring Jasprit Bumrah, the other two quicks — Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana — looked quite flat in eased-out batting conditions at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday as Australia took a big first-innings lead of 152.
Shami, on his part though, wishes to have a few more competitive games under his belt before leaving for Australia. “He has played eight matches (one Ranji Trophy and seven Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) since getting the fitness certificate from the National Cricket Academy. But he still wants to play a few more matches before leaving (for Australia),” a Bengal team source said.
Bengal play their pre-quarterfinal game against Chandigarh in Bengaluru on Monday.
