Injury to Mohammed Shami devastates Indian camp, Jasprit Bumrah placed on stand-by

Mohammed Shami, who was set to resume his international career after a nine-month injury layoff in the ODI series against Australia, pulled his hamstring in a training session on Friday, and is a doubt for the whole of the series.

Bowling in the nets ahead of the practice game against Western Australia XI, which India won by 74 runs, the 25-year-old pulled up in his run up, and was unable to take part in the match.

The last time Shami featured in an India jersey was in the 2015 World Cup, where he bowled through a lot of pain, also finishing as the fourth highest wicket taker. He has had surgery on his problematic knee since then, but his much-vaunted comeback has now been derailed with a hamstring injury.

Confirming the injury, a BCCI source has said that a final decision on Shami’s availability will be taken on Saturday.

“He suffered an injury during the team’s training and is being monitored. Based on the medical advice on Saturday, it will be decided whether he will continue to be a part of the squad or not,” the source said.

Shami proved his fitness by playing a couple of domestic matches in December, and had even shown some sparks of his old form with a spell of 3/18 against Hyderabad earlier this month.

Highest wicket taker in Vijay Hazare Trophy

With Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and newcomer Barinder Sran forming the rest of India’s pace contingent, it is understood that Shami will be replaced if required by man-in-form Jasprit Bumrah of Gujarat.

The 22-year-old has been one of the major reasons why Gujarat have been one of the best performers in the 2015/16 domestic season, and has deservedly been on the selectors’ radar for a while.

Bumrah finished as the highest wicket taker of the 2015 Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 50-over competition with Gujarat were crowned champions of, taking 21 wickets in 9 matches. He has also taken 9 wickets in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament, where also Gujarat stand a good chance of qualifying for the next stage.

Gujarat have already been intimated that they may have to release Bumrah for India duties in Australia. It has been learnt that the national selection panel had marked him as the first stand-by while finalising the squad for the five ODIs and three Twenty20s in Australia.