'I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery..': Ajit Agarkar expects Mohammed Shami to be back before this series but has a contingency plan too

India’s highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cup 2023, Mohammed Shami, has been out of action for seven months due to an ankle injury he sustained during the marquee tournament. While Shami has started bowling in the nets, he is yet to regain full fitness. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar is unaware of his timeline of recovery but he expects that fast bowler to play in the two-Test series at home against Bangladesh starting September 19. 
 

“We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment and hope they will be back up. Shami has started to bowl which is a god sign. September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that,” Agarkar said in the press conference before the team heads to Sri Lanka for limited-overs series. 
 

Grooming pacers performing in Ranji Trophy

While Agarkar wants the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Shami to be fit and available for the upcoming Test series, he shared that conversations around grooming fast bowlers from First-Class cricket has taken place as well.
 

“There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, Siraj have been around for a while, these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first class cricket coming up so we can build guys up like that,” he added.

 

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India’s Test players in Duleep Trophy

Agarkar also made it clear that several Indian Test players will play at least one match in the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2024. However, Shami’s participation is subject to fitness. 
 

“Enough players from our Test squad will be playing the Duleep Trophy," the 46-year-old.

 

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If Shami does not recover before the Test series against Bangladesh, he will be expected to join the side for the three-Test series against New Zealand starting October 16. After the home series, India will head to Australia for Border-Gavaskar Test series where Shami’s services will be crucial. There has also been chatter around Arshdeep Singh getting his maiden Test call-up. 
 

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