'Hasn't Played Single T20I Since...': Former India Batter After Mohammed Shami's T20 World Cup Selection
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has specified why Shami missed T20 matches after the 2021 T20 World Cup.
On Friday, the BCCI selection Committee finally announced the much-awaited Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement in India’s T20 World Cup squad. The ace Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will complete India’s squad.
"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mohammed Shami as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement in India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup squad. Shami has reached Australia and will link up with the squad in Brisbane ahead of the warm-up matches," BCCI secretary Jay Shah quoted.
Players like Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, and Arshdeep Singh are there in the Indian fast-bowling lineup. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has specified why Shami missed T20 matches after the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Shami to replace Bumrah. Makes perfect sense.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 14, 2022
What doesn’t make sense is the fact that he hasn’t played a single T20i since the last World Cup. And that’s got nothing to do with his fitness. He was always available…
"Shami to replace Bumrah. Makes perfect sense. What doesn't make sense is the fact that he hasn't played a single T20i since the last World Cup. And that's got nothing to do with his fitness. He was always available..." Chopra tweeted.
Shami last featured in T20 internationals was back during ICC T20 World Cup in the UAE. He was expected to play in the T20I games against Australia and South Africa but was down with Covid. Shami has played 17 T20Is and has taken 18 wickets. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur have been added as backups and will travel to Australia.
India squad for ICC T20 World Cup: Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dinesh Karthik (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, R. Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami.