It wouldn’t be surprising if Mohammed Shami missed the two Test matches against the Proteas due to his injury. The Indian pacer is recovering from an ankle injury, as Cricbuzz reported on December 5.
Aside from the captain, Friday’s flight to South Africa via Dubai will carry Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, R Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, and Harshit Rana. Although the selectors have not yet decided on Shami’s replacement, it is thought that one of the pacers can be co-opted into the Test lineup given the large number of players now in South Africa for T20Is, ODIs, Tests, and A series. Over seventy-five Indian players are now on a tour in South Africa.
When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squads for the South Africa series on November 30, it was made evident that Shami was receiving treatment. Shami was a conditional pick for the Test series. According to the BCCI’s statement, “Mr. Mohd. Shami is currently undergoing medical treatment, and his availability is subject to fitness.”
The pacemaker was experiencing discomfort in his ankle, and it has come to light that he bore the World Cup workload despite it. Specifically, he was having trouble landing on his right foot at the delivery point.
Boxing Day, December 26, is the start of the first of the two Tests at Centurion. First up, starting on December 20 is a three-day game for the Test picks, which will take place at Newlands in Cape Town. Later in the evening, India and the Proteas will play their third and final T20I series match at the Wanderers. Three ODIs are scheduled for December 17, 19, and 21 after the T20Is.