The Cricket Board of India (BCCI) on Friday named veteran pacer Mohammed Shami in the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia as a replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah. “The All India Senior Selection Committee has included Mohammed Shami in place of Jasprit Bumrah in India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said in a release. Shami has arrived in Australia and will join the team ahead of the warm-up matches in Brisbane. ,
Shami will be included in the main team in place of Bumrah, it was reported by PTI last month. Mohammad Siraj and Shardul Thakur were selected as the ‘backup’ players and will be leaving for Australia soon. The tournament will be played from October 16 to November 13. Bumrah has been out of competitive cricket for an indefinite period of time due to a back injury. Shami last played T20 International in the United Arab Emirates during the last leg of the ICC T20 World Cup.
He was to play six T20 Internationals on home soil against Australia and South Africa but he tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to remain in isolation. On his return he had to prove his fitness and the National Cricket Academy approved his visit to Australia. Shami has played 17 T20 Internationals in which he has 18 wickets to his name.
