India vs South Africa 2023-24: Will Mohammed Shami Play In Test Series?

Add as a preferred source on Google

Mohammed Shami is racing against time to be fit in time for the India vs South Africa 2023-24 Test series, as the first Test takes place in Centurion on Thursday (December 26). The senior pacer continues to recover from an ankle injury post-ICC World Cup 2023.

In that context, the news agency PTI suspects that Mohammed Shami is unlikely to catch a flight to Centurion for the First Test with other fellow senior teammates, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah.

The report further added that Shami won't be part of the Test squad until the Test series against England in January. Should Shami's replacement be needed, Ajit Agarkar's selectors may choose to bring in a bowler from India 'A' team, who is presently engaged in a match in South Africa.

The members of the Test side will participate in a three-day intra-squad tournament starting on December 20 before to the opening game against South Africa. January 3, 2024, is when the second Test against the Proteas will get underway in Cape Town.

Mohammed Shami, meanwhile, had reason to celebrate after receiving a nomination on Wednesday for the esteemed Arjuna Award. According to the Sports government's information, the BCCI submitted a special request to the government to include Shami's name because he wasn't initially on the list.

The South Africa series is already underway with the three-match T20 series decider currently being played in Johannesburg's Wanderer Stadium. India were asked to bat first after the hosts won the toss. Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a half-century while India put 98/2 in 11 overs at the time of writing.