Mohd Shami's Australia T20I Comeback Delayed As He Tests COVID Positive, Umesh Yadav To Replace

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami tests positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to take part in the upcoming three-day T20I series against Australia. Umesh Yadav will reportedly replace him.

File Photo: Mohammed Shami celebrates taking the wicket of Afghanistan's Mujeeb Ur Rahman during the ICC Cricket World Cup group stage match at the Hampshire Bowl ( Image Source :Getty Images )

New Delhi: Mohammed Shami's T20I comeback will be delayed as the pace bowler has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be out of the Australia series starting in Mohali from September 20. Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav Umesh Yadav has been chosen as his replacement, the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) informed.

"Fast bowler Mohd. Shami will not be able to take part in the upcoming three-day Mastercard T20I series against Australia after testing positive for COVID-19.  The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Umesh Yadav as his replacement," the BCCI statement read.

On Shami's health, a senior BCCI source told news agency PTI: "Yes, Shami has tested COVID-19 positive. But there is nothing to worry as the symptoms are mild. But he will have to remain in isolation and will be able to rejoin the squad once he tests negative. It is unfortunate but that is how life is."

Asked about Shami's recovery, PTI reported that the source seemed hopeful for the pace bowler to be fit for the next series against Australia.

"We are expecting Shami to be fit for the next series against South Africa. There is 10 days before that series starts. So we are more than hopeful you can say," he said.

Umesh Yadav To Replace Mohammed Shami

Veteran pacer Umesh Yadav, who recently recovered from a quadriceps injury, will replace Mohammed Shami.

35-year-old Umesh last played his seven T20Is in 2019 against Australia. His comeback would be nothing short of a fairytale in this format as his county stint with Middlesex was cut short by a quadriceps injury. 

He had a terrific first leg of t 2022 IPL for KKR when he swung the ball at a great pace.

For Middlesex, he had a terrific Royal London Cup in which he took 16 wickets in 7 List A games including a five-wicket and a four-wicket haul.

India squad for Australia series: 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, Deepak Chahar, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav.

(With Agency Inputs)