India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami will miss the first Test against Bangladesh due to an injury he suffered during the ODI World Cup 2023. Since then, Shami has been working on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Former India captain Sourav Ganguly sees Shami as crucial for the upcoming tour of Australia.
India will play two Tests against Bangladesh before heading to Australia, where they aim for a third consecutive series win.
In an interview with PTI, Ganguly said, “India will need Shami the most in Australia. I know he’s out due to injury, but he’ll be back soon. The team still has a strong bowling attack, particularly with its spinners, who will be dominant on Indian pitches.”
Ganguly also mentioned, “The Chennai pitch offers plenty of bounce. With Ashwin, Jadeja, Akshar, and Kuldeep, India’s spin attack is the best in the world right now. Playing in India favors spin, but the overall team is very strong.”
Looking ahead, Ganguly is eager for the Australia tour, calling it a “real test” for the Indian team. He said, “After Australia, the tour of England in July will also be very important. With Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami back, India’s fast-bowling lineup will be strong.”
For the Bangladesh series, Bengal pacer Akash Deep has been named in the squad. Ganguly praised him, saying, “Akashdeep is a talented young bowler. He’s fast, bowls long spells, and has taken wickets for Bengal. He bowls at 140+ kmph, like Siraj and Shami. He’s someone to watch out for.”