As India starts preparing for the first Test of a two-match Test series with South Africa at Eden Gardens, there is one name that has drawn the most headlines, and that is the absence of the extremely experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami. With a great deal of depth available to them in fast bowling, as evidenced by Shami's recent success near his home state in the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, the questions about Shami's future in the Test format are only heightened as India look to manage a large quantity of fast bowling options.
As the first Test approached, the India captain, Shubman Gill sat with the press and, when he responded to the media's question, it was a sincere and well thought-out response that closely assesses the very topic of whether Shami would miss the Test match.
"I don’t think there are many bowlers of his caliber," said Gill. "But again, we have to look at the people who are bowling well. The bowlers we've got, Akash Deep, Siraj, and Bumrah... they’re terrific bowlers. That’s sometimes the tough part, when you don’t have bowlers of Shami bhai’s quality in the mix. But we still must look ahead, particularly the overseas tours."
When directly asked whether Shami is in India’s plans going ahead for Test matches, Gill just smiled and said, "The selectors can give a much better answer to that."
SHAMI THUNDERING BACK ONTO DOMESTIC CRICKET
Shami missed the South Africa tour, however he has shocked in the red-ball format. In just 2 games this Ranji season, he has taken 15 wickets, 5 for Gujarat and ripped apart Uttarakhand with 4 wickets for just 3 runs.
The age statistics for the 35-year-old fast bowler coming off surgery on his heel seem blunt, however they do also serve as a reminder that class and control are not easily lost.
GANGULY DEFENDS SHAMI, QUESTIONS SELECTORS'-DESICION
Sourav Ganguly was one of the first former players to take the selectors to task for leaving Shami out last week, stating: "I don't see a single reason why Shami cannot play tests, ODIs and T20 cricket for India. He is fit, bowling beautifully and he is still the best ‘red ball’ bowler"
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar previously stated Shami is absent because they see it as managing workload, and there are a few fast bowlers like Akash Deep coming through.
MY RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Shami isn’t shy of taking wickets vs SA, in his last Test series he took 14 wickets in three Tests including one five-wicket and he produced his usual seam and reverse swing at Centurion that was instrumental to the victory. And at home, he is even more dangerous, and that is why this last-edited omission is puzzling as ever for Eden Gardens.
EDEN GARDENS: THE GROUND WHERE SHAMI FEELS AT HOME
There are very few grounds that will stir such raw emotion from Shami. Some of the finest spells of his career have been bowled at Eden Gardens and if the pitch is anticipated to aid swing and seam we can only ponder how many he will have relished in his prime. We can not help but reflect that maybe the aspect of experience was looked at too early.
A LEGEND CONTINUES TO MAKE THE BALL - AND CONTROVERSY
As the pace attack for India looks towards a phase of transition, Mohammed Shami's shadow is roaring, not only as a bowler, but as an indicator of upper echelon ability. His recent brilliance in the Ranji Trophy is an obvious tip-off. Even as an older member of the group, Shami still shows that he can change the course of games and conversations, with every delivery.
Eden Gardens may not feature Shami this week, but he certainly is one to reminisce.
