Shami joins Indian team in Dharamsala

The fast bowler may feature in the Indian team for the fourth Test against Australia.

Mohammed Shami took four for 26 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final in New Delhi on Monday.

India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami has joined the Indian team in Dharamsala, two days after featuring in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final for Bengal. Shami has been away from action for about four months due to a knee injury that had ruled him out of the fourth and fifth Tests of the home series against England late last year.

Shami’s arrival in Dharamsala was indicated via Twitter. Shami posted a picture that had mountains in the backdrop, and wrote, “Beautiful morning in Dharamsala”.

Among fast bowlers, besides Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma, India only possesses Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 15-man squad for final two Tests of the series. The presence of Shami in the Indian line-up will boost the team, especially after his effective bowling performance against Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on Monday. Shami took four for 26 in 8.2 overs. He had returned to playing cricket after an injury layoff only earlier in the tournament.

Former Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has suggested the pitch in Dharamsala may assist seamers. If that is the case, Shami’s inclusion in the playing XI will not be a surprise.