As Mohammed Shami was tormenting local batters in Rajkot last week in his latest outing since returning from a year out due to injury, some questioned why one of India’s top seamers had not been flown out to Australia to support pace spearhead Jasprit
Bumrah.
In the wake of India’s 10-wicket thrashing inside three days in the second Test at Adelaide on Sunday, there will be a growing clamour for Shami to be parachuted into Brisbane for the third test against the hosts.
The manner of that defeat not only punctured the euphoria in the camp following India’s resounding victory in the opening Test in Perth but also exposed their over-reliance on Bumrah to get the 20 wickets needed to win a test match.
India managed to take only 10 in Adelaide with Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker in the five-Test series, claiming four including three Australian top-order batters.
Fellow seamer Mohammed Siraj claimed four middle and lower order wickets but Australia were in charge by then, while wicketless Harshit Rana bled 86 runs in his 16 overs.
“You can’t expect Bumrah to bowl from both ends, from morning to evening,” India captain Rohit Sharma said after the defeat on Sunday.
Shami’s presence would have lessened Bumrah’s burden but team management are not convinced the seamer is test-fit after spending so long on the sidelines due to his ankle injury.
The 34-year-old is behind only Bumrah in India’s pace pecking order and is known for his relentless aggression operating with an upright seam. Rohit hinted that the 64-Test veteran could still play a part in the remainder of the five-test series in Australia.
The third Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins in Brisbane on Dec 14 followed by matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
“We want to be more than 100% sure with him because it has been a long time,” Rohit said of the bowler. “We don’t want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team.”
Australia quick Hazlewood could be back for third India Test
Australia quick Josh Hazlewood bowled two spells at full pace at Adelaide Oval on Monday and thinks he will know in the next 24 hours if he will be available for the third test against India in Brisbane.
“I think it’ll be how I pull up in the 24 hours following it really,” Hazlewood told reporters.
“It’s just that repetitive (action) and obviously two spells makes a big difference.
“Cooling down pretty much fully and then going again in the same day, and the intensity has got to be right up there as well,” he said.