Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami is still missing from the squad as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced their squad for the three-match Test series against New Zealand on Friday (October 11). since the 2023 ODI World Cup due to an ankle injury.

The speedster underwent surgery in February and is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. The fast bowler even shared a video of himself bowling in the NCA nets in July of his year.

However, Shami failed to get fit in time as he also failed to make Bengal’s squad for their first Ranji Trophy matches. Recently, at the annual awards ceremony of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), the Uttar Pradesh-born speedster mentioned that he is trying his best to make his international comeback, but claimed that he would not rush into action and only return to the team. when he is 100% fit.

The fast bowler had also said that he would be seen playing for Bengal for the first time in the Ranji Trophy before making his comeback to India. A few days before, he even slammed the media for false reports questioning his participation in the upcoming five-match Test series against Australia. from November 22.

However, Shami’s unavailability for the New Zealand Tests raised questions over his participation in the Australian Test series. The fast bowler last played Test cricket in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.

BCCI names Mayank Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana as traveling reserves

Shami’s services will be desperately needed by India in Australia, where they are looking to complete a hat-trick of series wins after already humiliating the Kangaroos at home in 2018-19 and 2020-21 respectively. The fast bowler played eight matches in Australia and scalped 31 wickets at an average of 32.16.

The BCCI is yet to make an official statement on Shami’s progress, leading fans to wonder if he will be able to prepare in time for the Australia series which takes place in a little over a month. Meanwhile, in his absence, the BCCI has named fast bowlers Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav and Prasidh Krishna as traveling reserves for the New Zealand series with all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.