IND vs AUS: Mohammed Shami is ‘undercooked,’ focus on next gen fast bowlers

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Rohit Sharma may have set the cat among the pigeons by talking about medium pacer Mohd Shami being still in rehab at the NCA and unlikely for the Test tour to Australia.

It is well known, since the time Shami got injured at the ICC ODI World Cup last year, he has been out of action. He had undergone a surgery on his Achilles tendon this February abroad but the latest update from the skipper is Shami has swelling on his knees.

If that be the case, rushing back the swing bowlers is impossible. To not play first class cricket and go 'undercooked' Down Under would be foolish.

As it rained cats and dogs in Bengaluru on Tuesday (October 15), Rohit Sharma was at the mandatory press conference, where India take on New Zealand in the first Test from Wednesday (October 16).

There is rain prediction for all days, so if at all play is possible, one does not know. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has a good drainage system but as of now the weather forecast is bleak.

Back to Shami, he is doing the rounds on social media. Why? It is believed he had mocked those who had written on his return to cricket being ruled out due to fitness woes. The big question, why is so much importance being given to Shami, who has not played cricket for almost a year.

It is well known, with Jasprit Bumrah as the pace spearhead, and Mohd Siraj, Akash Deep and a decent set of back-up fast bowlers available as well, there is no need to sweat over Shami.

There is no scope for unfit players to be rushed back. One cannot forget the lessons learnt from Bumrah himself who had a major injury during the Birmingham Test in 2022. His return was rushed and there was more agony for the speedster, before he again took a break, did intense rehab and returned super fit.

Shami has posted photos on social media of his rehab but that does not mean he is a 100 per cent fit. India have done well in Tests against England and a poor Bangladesh side at home minus Shami this year.

It is being made out as if Shami alone will be some kind of a spearhead Down Under. No, Indian cricket keeps moving on from icons and the impact made by younger players has been forceful. The big question or talk should not be around Shami, really.

Take the case of Mayank Yadav, a fast bowler who broke down during the IPL 2024 season. He went into rehab and has been brought back for the T20 series.

There is a genuine concern Mayank should not over-bowl. How much is too much, the think-tank can decide. For all those who are needlessly worrying on Shami's injury, India can do well without him as well.

The back-up for Bumrah is plenty and given the nature of wickets in Australia, it is no longer a fast bowling paradise at all venues. Under coach Gautam Gambhir, India have learnt to move on.

Nothing is being taken for granted and in the red-ball longer format, the next generation of fast bowlers who can swing and seam has to be mentored. Yes, the series Down Under has generated enormous hype.

As things stand, India should make the ICC World Test Championship final next year in England. By then, more Indian fast bowlers would have matured.

This fuss over Mohd Shami being unfit is creating needless hype! Focus on the reserve quicks. They can also do the damage. Naming back-up fast bowling reserves is a step in the right direction.