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[Saba Sports News] In what is a massive setback for India, their star pacer Mohammad Shami is unlikely to take part in the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.
Shami is currently undergoing treatment for an ankle injury. As reported by Cricbuzz, it still has not healed fully, raising doubts on his availability for the South Africa Tests.
Most of the Indian players are already in South Africa barring captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini and Harshit Rana. They will fly to South Africa on Friday.
The Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI), while announcing the Test squad, had confirmed that Shami’s selection for the series is subject to fitness.
The Cricbuzz also revealed that Shami played the ODI World Cup 2023 with pain in his right ankle, however, he still managed to be the top wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming 24 scalps in seven matches.
The Test series between India and South Africa will begin on December 26 in Centurion. The second match will be played in Cape Town, starting January 3.
Notably, India are yet to win a Test series in South Africa and with Shami’s injury, the chances of Rohit Sharma and Co. creating history have reduced.