Mohammed Shami consults sports orthopaedic in Mumbai for ankle condition
Star pacer Mohammed Shami has developed an ankle ailment which currently requires medical attention as the Indian team management hopes he will regain fitness in time for the first Test against South Africa from December 26 at Centurion.
Shami's name has been retained with a star in the Test squad and the BCCI press release stated that he is “currently undergoing medical treatment and his availability is subject to his fitness.”
However, there was no specific information on the nature of the injury and whether he suffered it on the field or was more fitness related.
But it is learned that Shami was in Mumbai to consult a sports orthopedist to diagnose his ankle condition.
“It's not exactly an on-field injury. It's an ankle condition that has developed. Shami came to Mumbai to consult the doctors. He will also go to NCA for rehabilitation and recovery work.
“The national selectors would not have selected him if there was no chance of him getting fit in time for the Boxing Day Test,” a BCCI source aware of the development told PTI on condition of anonymity.
Shami did not appear in the first four matches of the recent ODI World Cup due to team composition requirements.
He got the chance to play in the fifth match after Hardik Pandya tore his left ankle ligament while trying to stop a powerful shot during his follow-on in the match against Bangladesh.
Shami eventually picked up 24 wickets in seven matches and was one of the biggest reasons behind India's continued dominance for 10 consecutive matches in the showpiece before losing the final to Australia.
“Shami actually came to watch one of the Bengal Vijay Hazare Trophy matches while his younger brother Mohammed Kaif was also playing. He seemed to be limping slightly,” a source from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said.
It will be interesting to note if Shami would play the three-day intra-squad match between India Seniors and India A squads, which is an alignment with the Tests.
For now, it is also known that Shami will not play any white-ball matches as there are seven Test matches, including five against England at home, and the 'Amroha Express' is expected to play a big role in the subcontinental conditions where the ball is turning a lot.
Whether Shami plays in the T20 World Cup next year will depend on how he does in the Indian Premier League, where he has had two good seasons for the Gujarat Titans.
Easwaran will play 1st A Test
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It was also learned that Abhimanyu Easwaran suffered four stitches on his right hand during a Vijay Hazare Trophy match but will be fit to play the first four-day 'Test' between India A and South Africa A between December 11 and 14 .
“Abhimanyu suffered a cut between the third and fourth fingers. He had stitches and was advised a week's rest. Therefore, he should be ready by December 6 and if there is a 'Test' on December 11, chances are he will play,” a CAB source informed.
IPL GC to wait for EC
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) governing council met on Thursday and decided that the schedule for the 2024 edition could only be finalized once the Election Commission of India (ECI) announces the date of next year's general elections.
“Whether the IPL will take place in India in whole or in part will be decided once ECI announces the full election schedule,” an IPL-GC member said.
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