Rohit Sharma Expresses Concern for Mohammed Shami's Fitness Ahead of Australia Tour

Team India suffered a devastating 10-wicket defeat against Australia in the second Test in Adelaide, raising concerns about their ability to perform with the pink ball. The team struggled to make an impact, being bowled out for a mere 175 in the second innings after conceding a 157-run lead earlier in the match. Day 3 saw India starting at 128/5, but their hopes for a comeback were dashed with the early dismissal of Rishabh Pant in the very first over.

Following the defeat, Rohit Sharma was asked about Mohammed Shami's potential return in the post-match press conference. India had an indifferent outing with the ball, too, with the bowler's lines and lengths coming under scanner during Day 1 of the Adelaide Test. While Rohit didn't particularly rule out Shami's return, he insisted that the team is “very careful” about flying Shami Down Under, as it wants to ensure the bowler's full fitness.

“Definitely, that door is very much open. But we are just monitoring him because while playing in Syed Mushtaq Ali (Trophy), he again got some swelling in his knee,” Rohit said.

“It obviously hampers his preparation to come and play a Test. We want to be very careful, we don't want to bring him here in a situation where he plays and he pulls up sore. We want to be 100 percent sure with him. It has been such a long time that he has not played cricket, and to be fair to him, we don't want to put pressure on him to come here and do the job for the team.”

Rohit further mentioned that the BCCI medical team is constantly monitoring Shami's fitness and the management will take a call on adding him to the squad based on the final assessment from the medical staff.

“There are professionals who are monitoring him. We will take the call based on what they feel. They are the ones watching him every day, how he pulls up after the game, bowling four overs and standing for 20. We have to be very careful, but like I said, the door is open for him to come and play anytime,” said Rohit further.

The Indian team will be hoping for a quick resurgence as it travels to Brisbane for the third Test of the series. It was the same ground (Gabba) where India wrote history in the previous tour (2020/21), becoming the first team to defeat the Australian Test side at the venue since 1989 and thus clinching the series.