Mohammed Shami’s India Career Over? Shubman Gill Confirms Team Has ‘To Look….’ | Cricket News

Mohammed Shami. (PTI Photo)

Team India skipper Shubman Gill opened up on the absence of star pace Mohamed Shami ahead of the side’s Test series against South Africa slated to get underway on the 14th of November at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

The home team will be without the services of seasoned pacer Shami for the two-game series against the World Test Champions and Gill touched up on importance of staying ahead of the curve in tems of planning.

“There aren’t many bowlers of Shami bhai’s quality. But when you look at the performances of others — guys like Akash Deep and Prasidh — and also what Siraj and Bumrah have done for us, it becomes a tough call,” he said.

“It’s never easy when someone like Shami bhai has to miss out, but at the same time, we have to plan ahead,” the Indian Test skippe added.

“As for fitness and selection matters, the selectors would be in a better position to give a clear answer on that,” Gill said.

Gill expressed his delight with the abundance of talent the home team have in their ranks in terms of all-rounders with Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel leading the charge.

“We’re really fortunate to have the kind of quality all-rounders we do,” the skipper said.

“All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions. As a captain, it’s always difficult to decide who to leave out — but that’s a good problem to have. It makes for an exciting Test match ahead,” he added.

Gill said alluding to the strength of the World Champions, who got the better of Australia to get their hands on the coveted Test mace in the previous cycle.

“They have drawn series in Pakistan. They are the world champions in Tests. The teams who do well in Asian conditions are always tough to face. But we are ready for the challenge,” the young skipper said.

Team India:

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper) (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep.