Mohammed Shami excluded from selection for remaining Border-Gavaskar Trophy events

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will not be considered for selection for the remaining two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, in Melbourne and Sydney respectively.

“The BCCI medical team at the Center of Excellence has worked closely with Indian fast bowler Shami on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has fully recovered from his heel problem,” Devajit Saikia, BCCI joint secretary, said in a statement on Monday.

“However, his left knee showed minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling matches the expected lines, due to increased bowling after an extended period of time.

“Based on current medical evaluation, the BCCI medical team has determined that his knee requires additional time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Therefore, he was not deemed fit to be considered for the remaining two events of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” he added.

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Shami, 34, has 229 Test wickets to his name and last played for India against Australia in the World Test Championship final at the Oval last year. His last international appearance also came against the Australians in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023.

The pacer bowled 43 overs in the Ranji Trophy match for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in November this year. He played all nine matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), with his last match against Baroda, the quarter-final, ending in defeat despite Shami taking two wickets.

“Shami will continue to undergo focused strength and conditioning work under the guidance of medical staff at the BCCI Center of Excellence and develop his bowling loads necessary to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee,” Saikia added in his statement.