Reports: Mohammed Shami in contention for a place in Test squad for first three matches
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According to reports, Mohammed Shami, who recently passed the Yo-Yo test has been on the Indian selectors' radar for the England tour and is likely to be included in the squad for the first three Tests. Dinesh Karthik looks favorite to replace the injured Wriddhiman Saha in the Test squad.
The Indian selectors are close to naming the squad for the first three Tests of the five-match series against England when they meet in Leeds for the selection committee meeting. According to reports in CricketNext, Mohammed Shami has been on the radar of selectors and would likely be included in the Test squad, as Jasprit Bumrah would miss the first Test and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar has been suffering from a bad back. Shami passed the Yo-Yo test a couple of weeks back after failing to clear it before the Afghanistan Test.
Reports also mention that there was no point in naming a squad for all the five Tests since there were a few players who have injury issues, but have been recovering well.
âSee, this is not a three-game series. In such a case, you ideally pick the squad and then you proceed. But in a long five-match series, you donât wish to pick the squad at one go. Some of the players who might be sore or have an injury and are progressing well will come into the picture as and when they are fit. Like Bumrah is certain to need time to be fit till the second Test,â a source close to the development told Cricket Next.Â
Asked if some surprises were planned, as suggested by skipper Virat Kohli after the win in the opening ODI, he said, âSome of the young names are surely to be discussed, but it is too early to say who will get the nod and who will not. But performances are bound to be taken into account when the wise men sit down.â
Reports also mention that Dinesh Karthik would replace the injured Wriddhiman Saha in the playing XI when Team India takes the field against England in the first Test of the five-match series on August 1. Saha had injured his thumb during the IPL and while it was initially believed that he would be fit in four to five weeks, the recovery hasnât gone as per plan and the wicket-keeper was seen sporting a soft plaster last week.
Saha lost the battle to get fit in time for either the four-day âunofficialâ Test against England Lions from Monday at Worcester or the four-day warm-up match against Essex, which starts on July 25 in Chelmsford.
