Mohammad Shami was set to make his comeback to the Indian team but it seems like lady luck has refused to be on his side. He won’t be a part of the 3-match series against Australia since he tested positive for Covid-19. Umesh Yadav will be his substitute and has already reached Mohali. He was last seen in India’s T20 squad in 2019. The first match between the two teams will take place in Australia on September 20.
India’s short series against the Aussies ends on September 25 so there’s not enough time for him to rejoin.
There are still hopes that he’ll be returning for the T20 series against South Africa that starts on September 28. However, everything depends on his recovery. Umesh Yadav on the other hand had developed muscle injury and at the moment is at NCA.
“Umesh is fit now. He has been asked to join the Indian team in Mohali. The selectors want experienced bowlers in the ranks after the Asia Cup debacle,”– A BCCI official said
He has to go through the 7-day isolation period before he gets in the team. It’s mandatory for him to get two negative Civd-19 tests, and pass a cardiovascular test. Shami had a 10-month gap and is a standby player in T20 World Cup. It was necessary for him to play the 6 T20Is against Australia and South Africa to get back to his form.
The four Indian standby players will travel to Australia for their T20 World Cup. Mohammed Shami, Deepak Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, and Shreyas Iyer will be present in the warm-up matches as well. BCCI wants to keep them ready in case, any emergency comes. The men in Blue will leave for Australia on October 6. Mohammad Shami, making a comeback from recovery will be able to take part in only three games. He has to make the most out of these three games or else, he won’t be getting a place in T20 World Cup.
Shami’s substitute, Umesh Yadav was never a part of too many T20 games. If Shami gets ruled out of T20 World Cup, India will have to get an experienced pacer who’ll understand the Australian conditions. The team is eager on trying out Umesh Yadav before taking including Shami.
Read more: BCCI to introduce an “Impact Player” in its T20 tournaments
