NEW DELHI: Former India coach Ravi Shastri and Australian legend Ricky Ponting have expressed disappointment over India’s decision not to include pacer Mohammed Shami in the squad for the just concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Both believe Shami’s presence, even as a late addition, could have bolstered India’s chances, especially in the latter stages of the series.
Shami, who has been recovering from an ankle surgery he underwent after the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final, showcased his readiness with appearances in domestic red-ball cricket prior to the series. However, subsequent knee swelling led to the BCCI medical team ruling him out before the fourth Test in Melbourne.
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Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri criticised the lack of clarity regarding Shami’s fitness and recovery timeline. He suggested that keeping the experienced pacer with the team in Australia could have been a better approach.
“Why can’t proper communication come out on where he stands? A player of his ability, I would have brought him to Australia,” Shastri remarked. “I would have kept him part of the team, monitored him with the best physios, and made a decision after the third Test if he could play.”
Ponting echoed Shastri’s sentiments, emphasising Shami’s potential impact, particularly in the series-deciding matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
“I was really surprised when he wasn’t flown out even halfway through the series,” Ponting said. “Even if he wasn’t fully fit, he could have bowled fewer overs with support from an all-rounder like Nitish Reddy. He could have been the difference.”
Ponting, who had earlier predicted a 3-1 series win for Australia due to Shami’s absence, reiterated the pacer’s importance. “If Shami, Bumrah, and Siraj were in their starting team, I think things could have been completely different here in Australia.”
Shastri also highlighted the strain on Jasprit Bumrah, who struggled with fitness toward the end of the series, and suggested Shami’s presence could have provided crucial support.
“You just needed that experience and support. For all you know, he might have raised the bar as well,” Shastri said.
Shami, currently preparing for the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, has been making domestic appearances for Bengal to regain match fitness.
