Mohammed Shami doubtful for Mumbai Test

Indian Test captain Virat Kohli said that a decision will be taken on Wednesday evening on whether Mohammed Shami is fit to play the Mumbai Test.

Published : Dec 07, 2016 14:03 IST , Mumbai

Mohammad Shami had a soreness in his knee after the third Test in Mohali.
Mohammad Shami had a soreness in his knee after the third Test in Mohali.
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Mohammad Shami had a soreness in his knee after the third Test in Mohali.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is a doubtful starter for the fourth Test against England. The national selectors have named Mumbai fast bowler Shardul Thakur as a cover. The second-highest wicket taker with 29 scalps (after Ravichandran Ashwin’s 59) in the present calendar year, Shami’s landing foot knee became vulnerable once again. He did not bowl during India’s preparation here on Tuesday and Wednesday.

> Kohli: 'Team performances key for India's success'

Skipper Virat Kohli said: “Rahul is fine. With Shami, we have got to take a call in the evening in terms of how he is feeling his knee. After the Mohali Test, I think, he felt a bit of soreness in his knee. So we need to take a collective call on that because he has had a history of knee surgery. We don’t want to push a player to an extent where we lose him for the whole season. So we will take a call in the evening. As to how much rest he needs or if he can go tomorrow as well, there’s still a bit of time to decide.”

The team has released Ishant Sharma because he’s getting married, but Kohli is now unduly worried.

“Not really because if you see whoever has stepped in, has given match winning performances. You speak about Bhuvi , he has came in at St. Lucia and in Kolkata, and both times he has picked up five wickets; he has been a match winner for us. I am not worried because the guys sitting outside are waiting for opportunities. It is not like that they are not looking forward to playing, which is I think a great sign for the team and that is why whoever has played at any stage has given those performances for us. As I said, they are pretty keen to step on to the field the grab the opportunity with both hands.”

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