Why Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of South Africa tests ?

Mohammed Shami picked up 24 wickets for India in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

Right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Mohammed Shami has not recovered from the ankle injury he sustained during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India. Shami made a significant impact on India’s campaign during the World Cup and finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. Shami’s ankle suffered due to the extra effort he put in during the tournament. 

Mohammed Shami took 24 scalps during the mega event that concluded last month. Shami’s extraordinary performance was the reason for India’s success in the World Cup as they finished as runners-up in the tournament. Shami’s 7-wicket spell helped India defeat New Zealand in the semi-final. New Zealand were cruising during their chase of 398 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Shami’s extra effort paid off and won the game for India. 

Mohammed Shami out due to ankle injury

In a recent chat with Aaj Tak, Mohammed Shami revealed he was putting in extra effort and bowling with his full might in the entire tournament while explaining one of his celebrations after taking a wicket. Shami revealed, “I was bowling with all the power and everything that my body could generate during the World Cup.” His extra efforts did pay off nicely for India but his ankle suffered hugely which ruled him out for the upcoming red-ball series against South Africa. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was aware of Shami’s fitness and they mentioned Shami’s participation will be subjected to his fitness when they announced the squad for the South Africa tour on 30th November. He has not yet recovered from his ankle injury and will be working on to better his fitness before the home series begins against England next month. In an announcement on 16th December, BCCI stated, “Mr Mohd Shami, whose participation in the Test series was subject to fitness has not been cleared by the BCCI Medical Team and the fast bowler is ruled out of the two Tests.”

The BCCI is yet to announce a replacement for Mohammed Shami in the test squad, but they have replaced Deepak Chahar with Akash Deep for the ODI series. Deepak Chahar has some family emergency to deal with and will be missing the ODI series starting on Sunday at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Shreyas Iyer will also be leaving the ODI camp after the first camp to take part in an inter-squad game for the test series. 

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