Indian fast bowling spearhead Mohammed Shami has been left out of the squad for the one-off test match against Afghanistan after he failed the Yo-Yo fitness test at the National Cricket Academy at Bengaluru. It’s learnt that he had been carrying a hamstring injury. Consequently , the selectors have roped in uncapped Delhi pacer Navdeep Saini, who had a brilliant Ranji season.
Saini is currently one of the quickest red ball bowlers in the domestic circuit and has been touted by many as one for the future after his consistent Ranji Trophy performance in the past two seasons. Saini is part of the four-day set-up of the India A team and is set to travel to UK next month.
Saini playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy picked up 34 wickets in eight games at 22.37. He followed it up with heartening performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, wherein he picked eight wickets in six matches. He was unlucky to miss out on a debut in the IPL for Royal Challengers Banglaore.
Shami prone to injuries managed only three wickets from four matches in the IPL playing for Delhi Daredevils. He had also missed the charity T2oI match between World XI and West Indies at Lord’s on May 31.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Navdeep Saini as Mohammed Shami’s replacement in the Indian Test team for the upcoming Test against Afghanistan.”a BCCI released said.
Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead India in the test as Virat Kohli has already opted out to play for Surrey.
Squad: Ajinkya Rahane (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Murli Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Karun Nair, Dinesh Karthik (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma, Shardul Thakur