In a recent interview, former BCCI President and India captain Sourav Ganguly strongly advocated for fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in the team for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Shami, who just made a remarkable return to cricket after a year-long hiatus due to surgery, showcased his form in Bengal’s recent Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh. Demonstrating his prowess, Shami captured 7 wickets over two innings and contributed a crucial 37 runs from 36 balls.
Ganguly, speaking to RevSportz, emphasized that Shami should bypass the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and head straight to Australia. He expressed confidence in Shami’s readiness, suggesting that he should be on the next flight, even if it means missing the initial test in Perth. “Yeah, I will send him to Australia. He doesn’t need to play the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I’ll send him to Australia, even if he misses the Perth Test. He keeps bowling, he should be on the flight, he has bowled today as well. He should be on the next flight to Australia,” Ganguly stated.
Further discussing the team dynamics for the Perth Test, Ganguly noted that he favors Prasidh Krishna to partner with Jasprit Bumrah, citing Krishna’s height and the pitch conditions that are likely to favor fast bowlers. Despite the possibility of Shami missing the Perth Test, Ganguly is keen on having him ready for the Adelaide Test scheduled for December 6. Shami’s impressive track record in Australia, where he has taken 31 wickets in 8 matches with an average of 32.16, underscores his potential impact on the series.
This strategic move to send Shami early underscores India’s intent to bolster their bowling lineup and adjust to Australian conditions ahead of critical matches, reinforcing their commitment to reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.