India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma Breaks Silence on Mohammed Shami Controversy Amid Feud Speculations

After getting a draw at the Gabba, Brisbane, in the 3rd Test against Australia, Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed the situation surrounding Mohammed Shami’s delayed comeback. Shami, who underwent Achilles heel surgery earlier this year, has been dealing with recurring knee swelling during his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

Despite playing in domestic tournaments like the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy, where he bowled 43 overs without discomfort, Shami has yet to regain full fitness. Rohit expressed frustration over the lack of updates from the NCA, emphasizing the importance of having clear communication before risking Shami’s return to international cricket. He said:

I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talked about him. That’s our national cricket academy where he is rehabbing. Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update. But look, I understand he’s playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well. The last thing you want is the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game. You know what happens when that kind of thing happens. There’s no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not a hundred percent, 200 hundred percent sure. We’re not going to take any risk. But yeah, like I said in the last press conference, the door is open. If those guys at the NCA feel that he’s okay to go and recover and play, I will be happy to have him.

Shami, a key player in India’s pace attack, has been out of action since the ODI World Cup final in November 2023. While he was expected to feature in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his fitness issues have ruled him out. The team is hopeful of his availability for the Champions Trophy next year, ensuring he’s at his peak during the final stages of his career.