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India's recent 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home has created a sense of urgency within the team management. The poor performance of the first-choice XI has led to proactive measures, including sending fringe players KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to Australia early for match practice. The focus is now heavily on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, a crucial series for India's World Test Championship aspirations. A key component of this strategy is the fervent hope for the return of fast bowler Mohammed Shami, whose fitness is seen as paramount to India's success in Australia.
Shami's recent return to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy after a year-long injury layoff is a beacon of hope. His seven-wicket haul and crucial 37 runs in Bengal's victory against Madhya Pradesh provided a much-needed boost to his comeback. His impressive performance in the 2018-19 Australian tour, where he claimed 16 wickets, further fuels the anticipation for his return. The Indian team management envisions a formidable pace attack pairing of Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, a combination that has proved highly effective in the past. While it may be unrealistic to expect Shami to be fully fit for the initial matches, the five-Test series offers ample opportunity for him to contribute significantly. His ability to bowl at a quick pace and generate skiddy bounce from a good length is particularly well-suited to Australian conditions, making him a valuable asset for the team.
Shami's absence leaves a void in the Indian pace attack, which will be led by Bumrah. While Bumrah is a world-class bowler, the effectiveness of fast bowlers is often amplified when they operate in pairs. The supporting cast includes Mohammed Siraj, who has performed well overseas, alongside Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna, both considered worthy backups. However, given India's recent struggles, Shami's return would undoubtedly serve as a major morale booster. The task ahead appears challenging, considering India's recent performances, making any positive development, especially Shami's return, highly welcome. The article also highlights the significant challenges India faces in their spin bowling department.
India's famed spin attack, consisting of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar, failed to prevent the recent defeat against New Zealand. While Ashwin and Jadeja have had stellar careers, they are approaching the end of their playing days. Sundar shows promise, but all three are finger spinners, a type less effective historically in Australian conditions compared to wrist spinners. The absence of Kuldeep Yadav, a left-arm wrist spinner who has shown remarkable skill and pace lately, further exacerbates the problem. Kuldeep's ability to generate variations and trouble batsmen, especially the lower order, would have been invaluable in Australia. His impressive five-wicket haul in Sydney during the 2018-19 tour earned him the designation of India's lead overseas spinner under Ravi Shastri. However, his stop-start international career and recent groin injury have ruled him out of the upcoming series.
The lack of a quality wrist spinner in the current Indian squad presents a significant tactical challenge. The team's spin bowlers will be largely tasked with containing runs rather than being primary wicket-takers. This shifts the onus onto the pace attack even further. Regardless of the bowling combination, India will need substantial batting contributions to compete in Australia. The conditions are expected to be more conducive to batting than those faced against New Zealand, especially as the Kookaburra ball loses its shine after about 20 overs. The absence of a wrist spinner to exploit this phase of the game represents a significant handicap. In such conditions, reverse swing becomes more impactful, and Shami's skill in this area could prove critical. His experience and capabilities make his return a highly sought-after development for the Indian team as they prepare for the challenging Australian tour.
Source: Why India is desperate to see Mohammed Shami return?