IND vs AUS: Will Mohammed Shami Join India Squad Down Under After Fulfilling BCCI's Condition in Ranji Trophy Match?

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Senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami made his much-awaited return to competitive cricket after nearly a year, having played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group match against Madhya Pradesh this week.

Shami had missed action since the ODI World Cup 2023 due to injury that required surgery. The speedster was a big miss for Team India and Gujarat Titans in the past few months. His comeback now will be huge boost.

Although he has been released by Shami, the veteran pacer will have a lot of takers at the IPL Mega Auction later this month. Most importantly, the pacer's return to fitness will come as a shot in the arm for the Indian cricket team that is preparing to face Australia Down Under.

Team India will lock horns with Australia in a five-match Test series, which will have a huge baring on the World Test Championship (WTC) Final standings. Shami's potential reunion with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj could be huge, but the pacer's inclusion in the side is still not guaranteed.

However, with his recent showing in the Ranji Trophy, Shami has passed one of BCCI's reported conditions to be cleared to join the Indian squad Down Under. Shami reportedly needed to fulfill some conditions to be added to the Test squad.

Having bowled 19 overs in the first innings for Bengal and finishing with figures of 4 for 54, Shami made a promising return. But according to report in PTI, the pacer needed to do the same even in the second innings before passing another test to be considered.

PTI reported that the national selection committee will look at how his body holds up in the second innings as well and whether there is any swelling or pain at the end of the contest.

If he ticks all the boxes, it is almost assured that he will join pace spearhead Bumrah before the second Test, which is a day/night affair in Adelaide. His childhood coach, however, told the Indian Express, Shami could be added to the side before the Brisbane Test.

Will Shami be added to India squad after fulfilling BCCI's conditions?

Having bowled more that 20 overs in the second innings at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Shami has fulfilled one condition set by the BCCI. But the pacer still needs to pass the fitness test and get a clearance from the National Cricket Academy before being considered for selection.

"But the biggest test would be whether he again feels any pain after four days. If the NCA medical team green-lights his fitness, obviously he will join before the second Test," the BCCI source had told PTI.

Going by the above statements, Shami will possibly undergo a test. Ajay Ratra, a member of the selection committee, and Nitin Patel, head of the NCA Medical Team will give their feedback to the chief selector and head coach. So, any decision on Shami may only happen after the Ranji match concludes on Saturday (November 16).